Cytological analysis of Fallopia japonica and Fallopia ×bohemica shoots during growth season

Abstract

Fallopia japonica and Fallopia ×bohemica are two very invasive plant species in Europe and North America. Their main mode of spread is vegetative reproduction. In spring new shoots emerge from the overwintering rhizome, grow rapidly and develop broad leaves which shade undergrowth plants. We studied cell size and starch accumulation in three stem regions at five sampling times during one growth season to determine possible differences in growth dynamics of both Fallopia species. On average F. ×bohemica had somewhat larger cells than F. japonica but the differences were not significant, except in the internodes of the middle stem region with differentiating cells. Also, cell growth dynamics of both species was similar and the only difference was detected at the 2nd sampling when cells of F. ×bohemica were more elongated. F. ×bohemica also accumulated starch earlier in the growth season and in younger tissues than F. japonica.

Keywords

• Fallopia japonica
• Fallopia ×bohemica
• cell size
• starch
• growth