Effects of site conditions on sexual dimorphism and sex ratio in lowland populations of Aruncus sylvestris Kostel. (Rosaceae)

Studies on sexual dimorphism in reference to vegetative features and on the sex ratio in different environmental conditions were carried out in lowland populations of dioecious species Aruncus sylvestris. It was shown that female individuals of Aruncus sylvestris produced higher flowering shoots, longer inflorescences, more leaves and longer and broader leaves than the male ones. All listed differences were statistically significant. In populations of Aruncus sylvestris growing in optimum ecological conditions (fertile and wet soil, half-light) the sex ratio M/F is close to 1:1. Changes of ecological conditions along the gradient of fertility, habitat moisture (estimated by the types of phytocoenoses) and intensity of solar radiation caused marked drift of sex structure towards the male domination. Light intensity was the crucial factor for the sex ratio in studied populations. Populations growing in half-light showed sex ratio M/F [is approximately equal to] 1:1 irrespective of habitat. Those growing in shade and in full light showed significant shift to male dominance. The largest deviation from 1:1 sex ratio (M/F [is approximately equal to] 1.0:0.2) was observed in extremely unfavorable habitat conditions (full sun irradiance, dry soil, strong competition from Elymus repens (L.) Gould). Obtained results demonstrated that female individuals of Aruncus sylvestris had markedly higher habitat requirements compared with the male ones.