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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Responses of the invasive Ricinus communis seedlings to competition and light

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Author(s):
Martins, V. F. [1] ; Haddad, C. R. B. [2] ; Semir, J. [2]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Programa Posgrad Ecol, Campinas, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Plant Biol, Campinas, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF BOTANY; v. 49, n. 2, p. 263-279, 2011.
Web of Science Citations: 4
Abstract

Ricinus is an invasive species. We assessed its responses to intra-and interspecific competition, and different intensities and spectral qualities of light. To evaluate resource portioning, we obtained biomass measurements of juveniles in different densities of co-specifics and another species; we also compared the proportion of juveniles to determine if there is recruitment limitation. We obtained the same information for juveniles growing in different photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) and ratios of red to far-red wavelengths (R/FR). Competition and light did not limit recruitment, resulting in differences in biomass allocation only. Biomass decreased more for plants subjected to interspecific competition than to intraspecific competition, suggesting that Ricinus is both a poor intra-and interspecific competitor. Juveniles growing under reduced PPFD and R/FR differed in biomass allocation and morphology as do shade-intolerant species subjected to shading. Our results show that Ricinus presents high plasticity, which may contribute to its invasion ability. (AU)