Ecological genetics of floret mass variation in Bromus tectorum (Poaceae)

Abstract

Bromus tectorum L. (cheatgrass, downy brome) is a highly invasive inbreeding annual grass that dominates millions of hectares of former shrubland in interior western North America. Factors contributing to its success include strong genetic regulation of key adaptive traits coupled with high phenotypic plasticity in response to resource availability (Meyer and Allen 1999a, b). Seed (floret) mass in this species has been shown to significantly impact biomass and reproductive output in the field, demonstrating its adaptive significance (Leger et al., 2009). In this investigation, the role of genetic variation versus seed maturation environment in regulating seed mass was examined in greenhouse studies with multiple populations and inbreeding lines.

Parent Publication

• Conference Proceedings: Seed Ecology III - The Third International Society for Seed Science Meeting on Seeds and the Environment - "Seeds and Change"; June 20-June 24, 2010; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Citation

Meyer, Susan E. 2010. Ecological genetics of floret mass variation in Bromus tectorum (Poaceae). In: Pendleton, Rosemary; Meyer, Susan; Schultz, Bitsy, eds. Conference Proceedings: Seed Ecology III - The Third International Society for Seed Science Meeting on Seeds and the Environment - "Seeds and Change"; June 20-June 24, 2010; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Albuquerque, NM: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 116-117.