Fitness and evolution in clonal plants: the impact of clonal growth

Genotype, environment, and genotype by environment interactions determine quantitative resistance to leaf rust (Coleosporium asterum) in Euthamia graminifolia (Asteraceae)

“…If disease results in reduced survival or vegetative reproduction of less resistant genotypes, especially during genet expansion (when the size of genets can increase exponentially and many die off, Hartnett & Bazzaz, 1985), it should cause an evolutionary increase in the average resistance level of future ramet generations (Van Kleunen & Fischer, 2003). Furthermore, when genotypic effects on resistance can be inherited by sexual offspring, resistance levels in other populations are also likely to be affected (Pan & Price, 2001). …”

Scaling of processes shaping the clonal dynamics and genetic mosaic of seagrasses through temporal genetic monitoring

“…Populations of clonal plants are composed of genetic individuals, or genets occupying space and dispersing locally through the production of modular shoots, or ramets (Harper, 1977). As genets are able to persist through time and space, the composition and evolution of populations of clonal plants is largely affected by the level of intraspecific competition (Eriksson, 1989(Eriksson, , 1993Pan and Price, 2001;Travis and Hester, 2005).Depending on the turnover of genets and intensity of inter-genet competition for space, two extreme recruitment strategies have been defined (Eriksson, 1993): (i) the 'Initial Seedling Recruitment' (ISR) strategy, characterizing populations originating from a single event of colonization from one pool of seeds, followed by occupation of space, mostly through vegetative spread; and (ii) the 'Repeated …”

Epichloë glyceriae infection affects carbon translocation in the clonal grass Glyceria striata

“…Since infected Glyceria can propagate only through clonal growth, examining physiological integration in infected plants will increase our understanding of how these plants are maintained in populations, especially since contagious transmission of the fungus may be rare (Chung & Schardl, 1997). Fertile or partly fertile inflorescences have not been observed on infected Glyceria plants in the field, but seed production by infected plants could have large consequences for host fitness, especially when coupled with greater clonal growth (Pan & Price, 2001).…”

“…Fungal infection could substantially affect physiological integration and the success of clonal plants because they derive all of their nutrients from host plants and can be substantial resource drains (Whipps & Lewis, 1981;Pitelka & Ashmun, 1985). The success of clonal plants has, in part, been attributed to their ability for clonal propagation (Shumway, 1995;Pan & Price, 2001). Physiological integration is critical to the establishment of new ramets because older ramets often provide new ramets with resources until they become selfsufficient (Alpert & Mooney, 1986;Abrahamson et al ., 1991;Jónsdóttir & Watson, 1997).…”

“…Physiological integration is critical to the establishment of new ramets because older ramets often provide new ramets with resources until they become selfsufficient (Alpert & Mooney, 1986;Abrahamson et al ., 1991;Jónsdóttir & Watson, 1997). Thus, interspecific interactions, such as plant-fungal interactions, which affect physiological integration can influence the success of clonal plants through changes in clonal propagation (Pan & Price, 2001).…”