Abstract
Allium porrum L. (leeks), a cultivated species, was chosen for this study on reproductive effort because of its particular characteristics which make quantitative evaluation easier. The relationship between biomass and energy of various vegetative and reproductive organs remained constant until sexual organs (stamens and ovules) began to differentiate. The caloric equivalent of these organs when mature is much greater than that of vegetative organs, as a result of their high nitrogen and fatty acid contents. Seeds also concentrate energy. However, even when seeds are ripe, the energy content of infrutescence minus that of seeds represents more than 80% of the total energy of the reproductive apparatus. Only 2% of the total energy is passed on to the F1 generation. Thus, the reproductive organs receiving the highest energy allocation are seeds and bulblets because of the energy costs of large ancillary organs, particularly the inflorescence spike. The asexual reproductive organ (bulblet) receives the greatest energy allocation (3 or 4 times that of a seed). Although bulblets have a lower caloric equivalent, their biomass is much greater than that of seeds. Off-set bulbs are energetically less costly because of the absence of ancillary structures. Reproductive effort for leeks was estimated to be roughly 33% of total energy in normal cultural conditions. It may decrease to 20.5% when the juvenile phase is completed more rapidly in time.
Published Version
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