Effects of seed release timing on plant life-history and seed production in a population of a desert annual, shape Blepharis sindica (Acanthaceae)

摘要: Growth, phenology, survivorship, and seed production were observed in a population of desert annual, Blepharis sindica, with reference to the variation timing seedling emergence. The consisted several cohorts induced by rain-cued release within growing season. fate 100 individuals six was monitored throughout Earlier-established had significantly larger plant sizes higher reproductive outputs than later cohorts. time duration each phenological stage varied among cohorts, they also influenced size. Mortalities at stage, vegetative increased delay release. Seed concentrated early Fecundity highest earliest cohort decreased monotonically results suggested that even temporally varying environments, superiority emergent plants evident. patterns fluctuating environments are discussed as compromise between 'diversified bet-hedging' an optimal for maximizing success