Description
Amphicarpy, by which a plant produces underground seeds in addition to aerial fruits, is found in many plant families and in species of at least 15 legume genera. First studies on the tropical Centrosema rotundifolium and subtropical Macroptilium panduratum revealed for both species, besides their stoloniferous growth habit, two important mechanisms for survival under unfavorable conditions: (1) Underground meristems and reserve organs, and (2) regeneration from a soil seed reserve based on underground, aerial-flowering independent, seed production. Underground seed production was for both species particularly high on very sandy soils, but amphicarpy enables the plants to exhibit a plasticity response to unfavourable soil conditions by changing resource allocation from underground to above-ground reproduction. The latter, which seems to be influenced by cross-pollination and thus aids gene-recombination, favours spreading of plant populations whereas underground reproduction ensures population survival on-site. Preliminary information on the agronomic potential of both species is given and several research needs are highlighted.
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Amphicarpic Legumes for Tropical Pasture Persistence
Amphicarpy, by which a plant produces underground seeds in addition to aerial fruits, is found in many plant families and in species of at least 15 legume genera. First studies on the tropical Centrosema rotundifolium and subtropical Macroptilium panduratum revealed for both species, besides their stoloniferous growth habit, two important mechanisms for survival under unfavorable conditions: (1) Underground meristems and reserve organs, and (2) regeneration from a soil seed reserve based on underground, aerial-flowering independent, seed production. Underground seed production was for both species particularly high on very sandy soils, but amphicarpy enables the plants to exhibit a plasticity response to unfavourable soil conditions by changing resource allocation from underground to above-ground reproduction. The latter, which seems to be influenced by cross-pollination and thus aids gene-recombination, favours spreading of plant populations whereas underground reproduction ensures population survival on-site. Preliminary information on the agronomic potential of both species is given and several research needs are highlighted.
