Comparing the flowering phenology between the only natural and a translocated population of Dianthus morisianus

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe reproductive success of a plant species depends to some extent on its flowering phenology. Thus, it is important to understand the flowering period, the flowering intensity and the synchrony of flowering to determine their respective influence on the reproductive success of the plant species. This study was conducted on the only natural population of Dianthus morisianus and on the first attempted translocation of the species. The aim of this study was to analyse the flowering phenology of the two populations to understand each and compare them. To analyse the flowering phenology, the initiation date, the intensity, the maximum flowering moment, the synchrony and the duration of flowering were tested. The studied plants had different flowering durations between years and the intensity and number of stems were significantly lower in the offspring of translocated plants than the natural plants. The early flowering plants had a longer flowering period and produced more flowers than those that flowered later. The offspring of the translocated population were able to flower, fruit and reproduce. They presented high flowering synchrony and flowered at the same time as the natural plants. This can increase the attractiveness for pollinators and facilitate exchange pollen with the natural plants. After five years, the success of the translocation can, thus, be asserted. This new path increases the genetic diversity of the species and its distribution.