Within-inflorescence variation in seed set of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and its consequence for seed size variation
2000
Sawada, H. (Shizuoka Univ. (Japan). Faculty of Agriculture) | Hatanaka, H. | Fukuda, E. | Yamashita, M.
Each inflorescence of white clover bears many florets. They set seeds at highly varying rates. We examined the extent of this within-inflorescence variation for a field population and its consequence for seed size variation. A considerable variation in seed set at floret level was observed in the population. This variation was partially attributable to floret position effect, upper florets on inflorescence having significantly less seed set and smaller seed size than lower florets. Seed set was highly variable even among florets at near site on the same inflorescence. Nevertheless, white clover was likely to produce almost the same sized-seeds regardless of seed number per floret. This trend was stronger in lower florets than in upper florets. It is suggested that there is the possibility of selective investment of resource in the upper part of inflorescence
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