Variation in Reproductive Allocation in Tussilago farfara

A transplant pot experiment was conducted to investigate the sources of variation in allocation of plant dry weight to seed reproduction and to vegetative reproduction in Tussilago farfara L. Seed was collected from three British localities with contrasting climates and soils, and plants were grown in pots in these soils and localities. Both reproductive allocations were variable. Seed reproductive allocation differed between plants in their natural habitats due to genetic differences. Both genotype and locality affected vegetative reproductive allocation. Plants from the most severe habitat had a higher vegetative and lower seed reproductive allocation, and this is discussed as an adaptation to environmental stress.