Reduced seed set under water deficit is driven mainly by reduced flower numbers and not by changes in flower visitations and pollination

Abstract Water deficit can alter floral traits with cascading effects on flower‐visitor interactions and plant fitness. stress induction diminish productivity, directly resulting in lower flower production consequently seed set. Changes traits, such as scent or reward amount, may turn pollinator visitations behaviour reduce pollination services reproduction output. However, the relative contribution of this indirect comparison to direct changes set are not fully understood. We manipulated water availability using rain‐out shelters a field experiment measured bouquet, morphology, phenology, interactions, Plant individuals Sinapis arvensis (Brassicaceae) were randomly assigned one three treatments: mean precipitation (=control), reduced drought period treatment. Our results show that decreasing lowers number flowers This indicates link between set, mass increases increasing number. The via visits has weaker remain relatively stable under decreased availability, whereas growth abundance decrease, potentially order allow investment more resources fewer maintain success. Thus, plants able compensate for trait expression, emission retain attraction. These findings indicate from stronger impact reproductive success than through altered expression generalist species. Read free Plain Language Summary article Journal blog.