Variability in growth and reproduction in F₁-families of an Erophila verna population

Seeds from two morphologically different groups in an Erophila verna dune population were used in a growth experiment to analyse and quantify flexibility and plasticity of growth and reproductive characteristics.
A strong correlation between plant morphology and individual seed weight was shown in parents and progeny. Seeds of plants with narrow leaves were twice as heavy (H-plants) as those from plants with broad leaves (L-plants) Families of H-plants allocated ca. 10% more dry matter to the roots. These characters were fixed, presumably due to selfing. Plants of both types are characterized by a graded control function between the vegetative and the reproductive phase. Most of the families showed a single switch from vegetative to reproductive growth, two families showed even two switch periods.
Between-family differentiation is interpreted as a result of multiniche selection in populations of Erophila verna. Within-family variation is disadvantageous due to low fecundity