The effect of nutrients and enriched CO2 environments on production of carbon-based allelochemicals in Plantago: a test of the carbon/nutrient balance hypothesis

Article Abstract:

The carbon/nutrient balance hypothesis was investigated by growing the perennial herb Plantago lanceolata in different CO2 and nutrient regimes. The total allocation to roots, shoots and reproductive parts were measured, and catalpol, aucubin and verbascoside contents were quantified. The results showed that low-nutrient conditions correlated with higher levels of carbon-based allelochemicals. Plants in high CO2 conditions had similar or lower levels of carbon-based allelochemicals than those in ambient CO2 conditions, suggesting that other factors are needed to activate increased secondary metabolism. Genotype-dependent CO2 effects were not observed.

Physiological aspects, Perennials, Perennial plants, Plants, Effect of carbon dioxide on

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Plant allocation and the multiple limitation hypothesis

Article Abstract:

Two plant allocation theories, the law of the minimum and the multiple limitation hypothesis, were evaluated. An optimal allocation model was used which assumes fixed plant demand, a universal, limited currency of allocation, separate acquisition of resources using the currency and trade-offs in allocation to each resource. Based on these assumptions, various ways in which real plants could violate these assumptions were explored, leading to a synthesis of the two theories. The results could help predict plant resource limitation by light, CO2, water and mineral nutrients.

Food and nutrition, Plants, Plant nutrition

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Diversity-stability relationships: statistical inevitability or ecological consequence?

Article Abstract:

The relationship between diversity and stability in biological ecology is discussed. Many researchers including Elton and Doak have observed that the two variables have a direct relation, that is, an increase in one causes an increase in the other. Such a link has been compared to the positive effect of diversification on stock portfolio stability. However, the ecological relationship is not rigorous and inevitable and there is still no clear indication whether the relationship is a result of interspecific competition or statistical averaging.

Biological diversity, Biodiversity, Biotic communities

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