Resolving the naturalization strategy of Solidago x niederederi by the production of sexual ramets and seedlings

• Published in: Plant ecology Vol. 218; no. 11-12; p. 1243
• Main Authors: Pliszko, Artur, Kostrakiewicz-Gieralt, Kinga
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Springer 01.12.2017
• Subjects: Germination; Plantations
• ISSN: 1385-0237; 1573-5052
• DOI: 10.1007/s11258-017-0762-6

In this study, the authors aimed to revise the ability of Solidago x niederederi, a hybrid between S. canadensis and S. virgaurea, to produce sexual ramets and seedlings as a part of its naturalization strategy. Based on a two-season garden cultivation experiment, we showed that the hybrid produces more generative ramets than vegetative ones and the number of generative ramets increases from one season to another with an increasing number of stem buds located on the caudices. We also revealed a spontaneous seedling recruitment by the hybrid during cultivation in the garden. Based on the seed germination test under laboratory conditions, we evidenced that the hybrid can reach a higher final germination percentage than S. canadensis but a lower one than S. virgaurea. Based on field studies conducted in 35 populations in Poland, the hybrid formed the largest populations in tree plantations and on abandoned fields, reaching 16.5 and 15.7 ramet clusters on average, respectively. The most abundant populations were found on abandoned fields; however, the mean number of ramets per cluster did not differ remarkably among habitats (H = 6.5, p = 0.163). In all populations, the mean number of vegetative ramets per cluster reached 0.85, while the generative ones achieved 6.43 on average. The statistical analysis proved that the aforementioned differences are significant (t = -12.6, p = 0.0002). Our results suggest that S. x niederederi is able to generate its own offspring by sexual reproduction and that abandoned fields seem to be the most suitable habitats for its establishment.