Intraspecific functional trait variation in weeds: A strategy in response to competition with crop and weed plants

Weeds are a key component of agroecosystems and compete with crop plants. Crop-weed competition has been widely investigated over the past decades, although how functional traits mediate these competitive interactions rarely explored. In this study, we measured in 4400 individual plants belonging to 32 weed species, growing among four crops differing traits. We assessed intraspecific variation response but also other weeds. found that most abundant weeds have lower trait variability than species for leaf dry matter content (LDMC), pattern was not observed canopy height (CH) nor specific area (SLA). tended grow taller higher LDMC values when CH increased. propose display ‘crop matching’ strategy, tending match competition. weed-weed affected traits, sometimes more strongly crop-weed This study highlights is important consider investigating processes underlying community assembly, especially resource Further studies required identify source consequences fitness.