Abstract
Populations of the annualPhaseolus sublobatus from different ecogeographical zones are genetically differentiated. In twelve populations from the western ghats (Maharashtra range) chasmogamous flowers are arranged in peduncled capitate racemes borne in leaf axils of higher nodes. One population (Poona Race S4) has additional inflorescences, also with chasmogamous flowers, on the main axis between the cotyledonary node and the ground. When the pods of these flowers ripen, the inflorescence gradually coils and, eventually, gets bury the fruits in the soil. This phenomenon is not known in any other plant.—The seed-coat patterns as revealed by SEM, and germination behaviour of both aerial and subterranean seeds are similar, and both types of seeds lack dormancy.—Heavy seed predation selection pressure is probably the principal cause for the evolution of fruit dimorphism inP. sublobatus. The origin of geocarpy in relation to fruit dimorphism and seed predation is discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bradshaw, A. D., 1965: Evolutionary significance of phenotypic plasticity in plants. — Adv. Genet.13, 115–155.
Datta, S. C., Evenari, M., Gutterman, Y., 1970: The heteroblasty ofAegilops ovata L. — Israel J. Bot.19, 463–483.
Doku, E. V., Karikari, S. K., 1971: The role of ants in pollination and pod production of Bambarra groundnut. — Econ. Bot.25, 357–362.
Engler, A., 1895: Über die Amphicarpie beiFleurya podocarpa Wedd., nebst einigen allgemeinen Bemerkungen über die Erscheinung der Amphicarpie und Geocarpie. — Sitzungsber. König. Preuss. Akad. Wiss.5, 1–10.
Fernald, M. L., 1950: Gray's manual of Botany, ed.8. — New York: American Book.
Hitchcock, A. S., Chase, A., 1950: Manual of the Grasses of the United States, ed. 2. — U.S. Dept. Agr. Misc. Publ.200.
Koller, D., Roth, N., 1964: Studies on the ecological and physiological significance of amphicarpy inGymnarrhena micrantha (Compositae). — Amer. J. Bot.51, 26–35.
Mattatia, J., 1977: Amphicarpy and variability inPisum fulvum. — Bot. Notiser130, 27–39.
Shively, A. F., 1904: Recent observations onAmphicarpa monoica. — Contr. Bot. Lab. Univ. Penn.2, 20–30.
Sharma, Subodh K., Babu, C. R., Johri, B. M., 1976: Population biology ofPhaseolus sublobatus Roxb. (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae)—Phenotypic variability. — J. Cytol. Genet.11, 101–106.
Sharma, Subodh K., Babu, C. R., Johri, B. M., 1977: SEM studies on seed coat patterns inPhaseolus mungoradiatus-sublobatus complex. — Phytomorphology27, 106–111.
Stebbins, G. L., 1974: Flowering Plants: Evolution Above the Species Level. — London: Edward Arnold.
Stopp, K., 1958: Die verbreitungshemmenden Einrichtungen in der Südafrikanischen Flora. — Bot. Stud.8. — Jena: Fischer.
van der Pijl, L., 1969: Principles of Dispersal in Higher Plants. — Heidelberg etc.: Springer.
Verdcourt, B., 1970: Studies inLeguminosae-Papilionoideae for the Flora of Tropical East Africa, IV. Kew Bull.24, 507–569.
Warburg, O., Eig, A., 1926:Pisum fulvum Sibth. etSmith n. var.amphicarpum. — Agric. Rec., Tel Aviv, Israel1, 1–6.
Zohary, M., 1937: Die verbreitungsökologischen Verhältnisse der Pflanzen Palästinas, I. — Beih. Bot. Zentralbl.56A, 1–155.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sharma, S.K., Babu, C.R. & Johri, B.M. Fruit dimorphism inPhaseolus sublobatus (Fabaceae) and its evolutionary significance. Pl Syst Evol 137, 67–72 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00983206
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00983206