Root competition between two strains of Spinacia oleracea. I. Pattern and processes.

Published online
01 Jan 1975
Content type
Journal article
Journal title
Journal of Applied Ecology
DOI
10.2307/2401760

Author(s)
Litav, M. & Isti, D.

Publication language
English

Abstract

Competition between the 2 strains was studied in pot experiments. It was found that F1 Selma (FS) suppressed Early Hybrid (EH) in mixed culture, although both attained about the same size when grown alone. The competitive effect was due almost entirely to below-ground competition, especially toward the end of the growth period when the bigger FS prevented EH from attaining the increased growth rate of which it was capable when growing alone. Some of the advantage of FS over EH may be due to the former's greater embryonic capital and this advantage could be eliminated by postponing its introduction into the mixture by several days.

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