Chin J Plan Ecolo ›› 1999, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (4): 302-310.

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Genet Features and Ramet Population Features in the Rhizomatous Grass Species Psammochloa villosa

DONG Ming, ALATENG Bao, XING Xue-Rong and WANG Qi-Bing   

  • Published:1999-04-10
  • Contact: DONG Xue-Jun

Abstract: Psammochloa villosa at Ordos Sandland Ecological Station (OSES) was investigated. P. villosa plants had a regular clonal growth, a clonal architecture of "guerilla" and a quite fast clonal expansion. The rhizomes connecting the ramets were able to maintain for at least 2 years. The results suggest that there is patential of a strong clonal integration in the species. The ramet populations of the species at OSES and Inner Mongolia Grassland Ecosystem Research Station (IMGERS) and those under conditions of monoculture and mixed with different species were compared. There were considerable variations in some important traits such as rhizome internode length,shoot height,ramet density and biomass between the monospecific populations at OSES versus IMGLES. At each of the two sites, differences in the same traits between monospecific population and population mixed with defferent species were also observed. The results imply that clonal plasticity may have a contribution to ecological adaptation in the species.