Effects of grassland plant communities on ramet expansion ability and biomass allocation of Potentilla anserina

In this study, Potentilla anserina plants were grown in six types of plant communities characterized by different dominant species. Quantitative traits and biomass structure at three levels (genet, mother ramet, and clone) were measured. The objective of this study was to analyse the differences in space expansion and biomass distribution of P. anserina grown in the different plant communities, and to determine its growth strategies in response to the different communities. The results showed: 1) Community composition had a highly significant effect on the roots of the mother ramet (P<0.01). Compared to the control, root length and root number of the mother ramet in all other communities significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the number of roots and root length of the daughter ramet also showed a decline. However, the number of roots of the daughter ramet was not significantly different in any community. 2) Community composition had a significant effect on the length and diameter of clone stolons and spacer length (P<0.05). P. anserina grown in different communities exhibited greater expansion ability of the genet by reducing stem diameter and increasing spacer length. 3) Community composition had a significant effect on both the horizontal and vertical expansion indices of the genet (P<0.05). P. anserina grown in different communities significantly increased expansion area and space, and decreased expansion entropy, thus increasing efficiency by using the guerrilla growth pattern to obtain needed environmental resources. 4) Community composition significantly reduced biomass accumulation in the levels of ramets (P<0.05). Biomass of the genet preferentially allocated to the mother ramet, and biomass of the mother ramet was preferentially allocated to the leaves. Compared to the control, the biomass allocation ratio of clones declined, but the allocation ratio of stolons exhibited an increasing trend. 5) Community composition had a significant impact on biomass structure of the genet (P<0.05). Compared to the control, the ratio of root to stem and leaf to stem of the genet grown in most communities significantly increased. In summary, P. anserina can survive and grow because it has characteristics of morphological plasticity. Expansion ability and biomass allocation of P. anserina genets perhaps change because of the biological characteristics of the community species and competition among daughter ramets of clones. Further research is needed.