POLYMORPHISM IN ARRHENATHERUM ELATIUS (L.) BEAUV. EX J. & C. PRESL

Abstract

SUMMARY In the vicinity of Sheffield, natural populations of Arrhenatherum elatius exhibit continuous variation in tiller and leaf number, leaf length and tiller angle. In the associated range of morphologies, the extremes are represented by erect and prostrate plants. Field and laboratory investigations suggest that this polymorphism is genetically controlled and may be attributed to the conflicting selection pressures imposed by competition for light in tall herbaceous vegetation and by continuous defoliation in pastures.

Phenotypic plasticity closely linked to climate at origin and resulting in increased mortality under warming and frost stress in a common grass

“…We compared variation in phenotypic plasticity of leaf biomass production and root integrity of 11 environmentally distinct populations of this species to variation in phenotypic plasticity among 8 species whose populations all stem from one environment. Previous studies on A. elatius found high phenotypic and genetic variability for quantitative traits (Mahmoud, Grime, & Furness, ; Petit & Thompson, ) and differentiation across spatial scales (Kreyling et al, ; Petit & Thompson, ). We expand these studies by linking phenotypic plasticity to genetic diversity and to climatic origin of the populations.…”

Variability of Couch (Elytrigia Repens (L.) Desv.) in Grasslands and Arable Fields in Two Localities in the Netherlands

“…Studies on some other grass species ('T HART 1947;MAHMOUD et al 1975) argue that prostrate plants are better adapted to grazing situations, whereas an erect growth habit and thick rhizomes are possibly more suitable characteristics for couch on arable land.…”

Trait variation in response to varying winter temperatures, diversity patterns and signatures of selection along the latitudinal distribution of the widespread grassland plant Arrhenatherum elatius

“…For A . elatius , a number of studies, mostly conducted at regional scale in the center of the species distribution, have demonstrated significant heritable within‐population variation for morphological and phenological traits (Ducousso, Petit, Valero, & Vernet, ; Mahmoud et al., ; Petit & Thompson, , ) or heavy‐metal tolerance (Gartside & McNeilly, ). Although significant heritability is a prerequisite for microevolutionary responses to environmental changes, the quantification of the evolutionary potential across large spatial and thus environmental scales based on estimates of heritability and genetic correlations from common garden experiments is likely afflicted with a high degree of uncertainty (Mitchell‐Olds & Rutledge, ).…”

“…elatius to different mid‐winter scenarios differs with latitude of sample origin and whether the differences can be attributed to adaptive or neutral processes. Previous studies on A. elatius found high phenotypic and genetic variability for quantitative traits (Jenkin, ; Mahmoud, Grime, & Furness, ; Petit & Thompson, ; Sulinowski, ) as well as adaptive differentiation at different spatial scales (Kreyling et al., ; Petit & Thompson, ; Voeller et al., ). Further, investigations at the molecular level revealed comparatively high levels of genetic diversity within populations, negatively correlated with the number of growing degree days (Michalski et al., ).…”