Studies in experimental grasslands have shown variation in plant individual performance in response to neighbourhood diversity. To which extent these responses are due to phenotypic plasticity or genetic variation is largely unknown. We collected seed families of five herbaceous species (Cirsium oleraceum, Crepis biennis, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago media and Rumex acetosa) in monocultures an...

After X-ray irradiation of Crepis capillaris dry seeds the authors detected, in addition to usual patterns of chromosome mutations, a new phenomenon of normal rod-shaped chromosomes being "vested," or encircled, by ring chromosomes. An analysis of the phenomena has demonstrated that the ring-chromosome production is connected with an X-ray-induced formation of a rigid loop by cross-links of dif...

The genotoxicities of the herbicides Roundup (glyphosate), Stomp (pendimethaline) and Reglone (diquat), were compared in plant (Crepis capillaris L.) and mouse bone marrow test systems using chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei. Roundup did not induce chromosomal aberrations or micronuclei in either test system. Reglone also did not induce chromosomal aberrations in either test system; howev...

Biological invasion is a widespread, but poorly understood phenomenon. Elton’s hypothesis, supported by theory, experiment, and anecdotal evidence, suggests that an important determinant of invasion success is resident biodiversity, arguing that high diversity increases the competitive environment of communities and makes them more difficult to invade. Observational studies of plant invasions, ...

A significant challenge in community ecology is the establishment of ecological baselines, which permit evaluation variations dynamics at different temporal and spatial scales. To our best knowledge, few studies have been conducted forest openings Mt. Parnon to establish a baseline for future monitoring. Hence, floristic study herbaceous plant species composition, diversity, cover, biomass was ...