Influence of Water Limitation and Provenance on Reproductive Traits in a Common Garden of Frangula alnus Mill.

Drought periods during the growing season will increase and intensify in Western Europe due to climate change. To better understand consequences for woody perennials, we restricted watering of potted cuttings Frangula alnus Mill. a common garden setting Belgium 2020. We focused on responses three provenances (Belgian, Italian Swedish) several reproductive traits year water limitation. F. alnus, as shrub species, bears fruits fast. It can blossom current season’s growth therefore produce ripened berries continuously months. The total berry count across whole was much lower water-limited plants, independent provenance. local Belgian provenance produced more than Swedish provenances, both plants control plants. Maximal production occurred July. from displayed second maximum August. Mainly clear advancement among comparison Slight differences were detected average stone per weight, with displaying single through time. highest had lightest likely attributable adaptation. Remarkably, not affected by Results are discussed context drought response mechanisms including escape, avoidance, compensation growth, growth/reproduction trade-off seed size/number trade-off.