Biological properties of Majnnthemum bifolium (L.) F. W. Schm. polycormones under various ecological conditions

Abstract

<em>Majanthemum bifolium</em> (L.) F. W. Schm. populations exhibit a two-level organisation. Individuals in the biological sense (polycormones) consists of a number of basic units-above-ground shoots joined by durable rhizomes. The role of the individual in the population and plant community depends on its age, size and individual area which is the exponent of the number and biomass of the produced organs. It is considered that there exist both intra- and interpopulation differences in the number of above-ground shoots and length of rhizomes as well as in the structure of the developmental phases and age states of the above- and underground parts of the polycormones. In all populations the greater part of the biomass falls to underground organs. A more favourable ratio of shoot biomass to that of rhizomes is, however, found in the polycormones of <em>Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum</em> and <em>Carici elongatae-Alnetum</em> where the presence of nitrogen in nitrate form was disclosed. With increase of participation of young age classes of shoots more of the total biomass falls to the above-ground parts.