Abstract
Seed samples were collected from wild populations of Capsella bursa-pastoris growing along a cline from low elevations to the high mountain region in Switzerland and from different latitudes in Scandinavia.
Progeny were grown in open-field random block experiments, in transplantation experiments and in growth chambers. Beginning of flowering was recorded. Under various environmental conditions we got rough ecotypic complexes: Early flowering Scandinavian populations and late flowering populations from the Alps. A quantitative promotion in a larger photoperiod exists in all populations (quantitative LTP).
Along various considered altitude gradients in the Alps populations from higher elevations are later flowering and tend to overwinter (biennial).
Obviously there exists a very distinct adaptation in graduate ecotypical differentiation. But geographical and climatical adaptation could be superimposed by local human influences like agriculture. The physiological and genetical background is present, but until now nearly invisible.
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Neuffer, B. Ecotype differentiation in Capsella . Vegetatio 89, 165–171 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00032168
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00032168