Seasonal Changes in Biomass Allocation in Eight Winter Annuals of the Mojave Desert

Abstract

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org. SUMMARY (1) Seasonal changes in biomass allocation were determined for eight species of winter annuals in the Mojave Desert-Astragalus sabulonum, Baileya pleniradiata, Oenothera deltoides and Schismus arabicus from a relatively moist sandy soil; and Camissonia brevipes, Chaenactis carphoclinia, Phacelia crenulata and Plantago insularis from a dry rocky soil. (2) In all species, roots comprised 12-22%4 of total biomass until late in flowering, when root allocation declined. (3) Maximum investment in reproductive structures varied among species from 16 to 50% of total biomass. (4) The differences in allocation strategies were species-specific, not site-specific. (5) No rapid changes in biomass allocation during the life cycle were observed.