Floating capital pattern and biomass slope allocation method in the life history of calotropis procera (AIT.) AIT. F.

Abstract

Plants of the woody perennial Calotropis procera (Asclepediaceae) were grown from seed to seed-set in an open field. Smith's slope allocation and fractional-allocation or percentage methods were used to study dry matter partitioning in the species. The two methods differed in thier predictions of the biomass allocated to the various organs. There were differences in the direction of change in the root/shoot ratio: increase, decrease and no change. The mean root/shoot ratio was 0.21:1 during the juvenile phase, rising to 0.68:1 and stabilized at 0.5:1 prior to and following the reproductive phase. Reproductive effort was 20% of biomass and harvest index was 9%. The relatively small biomass allocated to reproduction was caused by vigorous vegetative growth and root growth following seed shed. The set type of life-history strategy to which Calotropis can be assigned is in accordance with the C-S-R triangle for ordination rather than the r-K selection theory.