Studies on the biology ofPanicum repensL. II. Intraspecific competition and resource‐allocation

Abstract

Abstract The effects of intraspecific competition on the growth, development and resource‐allocation of Panicum repens was studied under greenhouse conditions. Evidence of severe intraspecific competition and adjustments to plant growth as a response to stress caused by competition, was seen from fairly early stages. An eight‐fold difference in initial plant density per pot, did not produce a significant difference in the dry weight accumulation between densities by 16‐weeks. Increase in plant density resulted in a very significant decrease in dry weight accumulation on a per plant basis, as expected. In general, dry weight partitioning into rhizomes and inflorescences increased with time at all densities, with a concomitant decrease in the percent dry weight partitioned into roots and shoots. Under low density conditions more dry weight was partitioned into inflorescences than at higher densities, indicating a shift in resource‐allocation with changing density. However, the expected shift of dry weight p...