Unpredicted, rapid and unintended structural and functional changes occurred during early domestication of Silphium integrifolium, a perennial oilseed.

Selection for increased yield changed structure, physiology and overall resource-use strategy from conservative towards acquisitive leaves. Alternative criteria can be considered, to increase yield with less potentially negative traits. We compared the morphology, anatomy and physiology of wild and semi-domesticated (SD) accessions of Silphium integrifolium (Asteraceae), in multi-year experiments.

Long-term effect of carbohydrate reserves on growth and reproduction of Prosopis denudans (Fabaceae): implications for conservation of woody perennials.

Prosopis denudans, an extreme xerophyte shrub, is consumed by ungulates and threatened by firewood gathering, because it is one of the preferred species used by Mapuche indigenous people of Patagonia. In a scenario of uncontrolled use of vegetation, it is very difficult to develop a conservation plan that jointly protects natural resources and its users. We performed a field experiment to assess the impact of defoliation on growth, reproduction and stores of a wild population of P.

Reproductive allocation of biomass and nitrogen in annual and perennial Lesquerella crops.

Background And Aims: The use of perennial crops could contribute to increase agricultural sustainability. However, almost all of the major grain crops are herbaceous annuals and opportunities to replace them with more long-lived perennials have been poorly explored. This follows the presumption that the perennial life cycle is associated with a lower potential yield, due to a reduced allocation of biomass to grains.

Phenological responses to temperature of an annual and a perennial Lesquerella species.

Background And Aims: The annual Lesquerella fendleri, native to the south-western desert of United States and Mexico, and the perennial L. mendocina, native to Argentina, may have potential as new crops for cold-arid environments. The introduction of a new crop requires an understanding of environmental influences on growth and development, particularly temperature, which has been recognized as the main factor affecting the rate of development in crops.