Population‐specific Traits and their Implication for the Evolution of a Drought‐adapted Ecotype in Armeria maritima

Abstract

Abstract:Traits contributing to drought resistance of Armeria maritima were investigated by comparing six populations of this species from sandy grasslands, heavy metal mines and salt marsh sites. The sandy soil ecotype that is influenced by periodic drought was found to allocate constitutively a higher proportion of biomass to the root system, especially to the fine roots, than the other two ecotypes. The selective advantage of this lower shoot‐root ratio is presumably the delayed onset of the critical water saturation deficit because of the ability to take up additional water from deeper soil layers. Under water stress, all populations of A. maritima showed a decrease in the shoot‐root ratio. Additionally, under moderate long‐term water stress a decrease in (= more negative) osmotic potential was found in leaves of plants from all populations. Lowest osmotic potentials were shown by the salt marsh ecotype and the highest by one of the heavy metal populations. Osmotic adjustment was achieved passively by a reduction in osmotic volume. Accumulation of osmotically active compounds was seen only under severe water stress, when the considerable betaine contents found in all populations of A. maritima even under control conditions were further increased by severe drought. The evolution of traits related to drought adaptation in the sandy soil ecotype of A. maritima is discussed.