STRATEGIC EXPLORATION OF POTENTIAL GROWTH FOR THE SELECTION OF NICHES FOR OXALIS SPP.
A. Rashid1, T. A. Cheema1, A. U. H. Khan2,
F. Zahid1, Z. Bashir1, S. A. Mirza1 and
S. Ali3*
1Department
of Botany, GC University Lahore, Pakistan
2Sustainable
Development Study Centre (SDSC), GC University Lahore, Pakistan
3Institute
of Industrial Biotechnology (IIB), GC University Lahore, Pakistan
*Corresponding
author’s email: prof.dr.sikanderali@gcu.edu.pk
ABSTRACT
The present study was an endeavor to investigate the
growth strategies of Oxalis corniculata L., O. corymbosa DC. and O. pes-caprae L. The distribution and seasonal pattern of growth
of Oxalis spp. was followed by regularly harvesting the species and
measuring growth parameters on monthly basis at selected sites. It seemed that
the growth pattern of the species allows them to select particular niches in
the garden. The comparative analysis of life cycle showed that O.
corniculata has the longest growing season and reproduce by seeds and
vegetative propagules, whereas O. corymbosa and O. pes-caprae have short growing seasons and reproduce by vegetative propagules only. It
appeared that O. corniculata is Competitive Ruderal (C-R) garden weed
with occurrence on less disturbed areas and its growth strategies allow it to
compete with other grasses in the same habitat. Oxalis corymbosa and O. pes-caprae are Stress-Tolerant Ruderals (S-R) as they are found
at disturbed sites. Mode of vegetative reproduction of O. corymbosa is
more efficient as compared to O. pes-caprae. O. pes-caprae have
more specialized niches and spot bound mode of vegetative propagules that make
it the most vulnerable in the gardens as compared to the other two species.
Key words: Oxalis corniculata, Oxalis corymbosa, Oxalis pes-caprae, Growth Strategies, Lahore, Pakistan. |