Journal Article

FZJ-2020-05062

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Dividing the pie: A quantitative review on plant density responses

Postma, J. A. (Corresponding author)FZJ* ; Hecht, V. L.FZJ* ; Hikosaka, K. ; Nord, E. A. ; Pons, T. L. ; Poorter, H. (Corresponding author)FZJ*

2021
Wiley-Blackwell Oxford [u.a.]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/27576  doi:10.1111/pce.13968

Abstract: Plant population density is an important variable in agronomy and forestry and offers an experimental way to better understand plant-plant competition. We made a meta-analysis of responses of even-aged mono-specific stands to population density, by quantifying for 3 stand and 33 individual plant variables in 334 experiments how much both plant biomass and phenotypic traits change with a doubling in density. Increasing density increases standing crop per area, but decreases the mean size of its individuals, mostly through reduced tillering and branching. Among the phenotypic traits, stem diameter is negatively affected, but plant height remains remarkably similar, partly due to an increased stem length:mass ratio, partly by increased allocation to stems. The reduction in biomass is caused by a lower photosynthetic rate, mainly due to shading of part of the foliage. Total seed mass per plant is also strongly reduced, marginally by lower mass per seed, but mainly because of lower seed numbers. Plants generally have fewer shoot-born roots, but their overall rooting depth seems little affected. The phenotypic plasticity responses to high densities correlate strongly with those to low-light, and less with those to low nutrients, suggesting that at high density, shading affects plants more than nutrient depletion.Keywords: plant population density, plant population dynamics, intra-specific competition, nutrient availability, shading, meta-analysis

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Pflanzenwissenschaften (IBG-2)

Research Program(s):

1. 899 - ohne Topic (POF4-899) (POF4-899)

Appears in the scientific report 2021

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Database coverage:
; ; ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Agriculture, Biology and Environmental Sciences ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; DEAL Wiley ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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