Flowering plant undoes 100 million years of evolution, shows signs of self-pollination
- December 25, 2023
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Flowering plant undoes 100 million years of evolution, shows signs of self-pollination
Subject :Environment
Section: Species in news
In the news:
- Scientists found a field pansy flower (native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa) in Paris, France, producing less nectar and smaller flowers to attract fewer pollinators, indicating rapid evolution.
Details:
- Researchers planted older seeds from the 1990s and 2000s against contemporary descendants, witnessing the rapid evolution of plant behaviour within 50 years.
- A documented 27% increase in self-pollination rates and trait evolution towards smaller, less conspicuous flowers with reduced nectar production was observed across four populations.
Significant outcome:
- The field pansy (Viola arvensis) has evolved self-pollination behaviour, posing a threat to the plant-pollinator relationship.
- Flowers in Paris exhibited a 20% decrease in nectar production and a 10% reduction in size, observed by comparing contemporary and older flower varieties.
- The plant evolved to self-pollinate due to declining insect availability, disrupting the conventional reliance on insects for pollination.
- Plants typically produce nectar to attract insects for pollination, a mutually beneficial relationship established over millions of years.
Concerns:
- While the short-term benefit of self-pollination helps plants, it poses threats due to environmental changes, potentially impacting plant population survival.
- Decreased nectar production may lead to food scarcity, contributing to further declines in pollinators, and forming a cycle detrimental to both plants and pollinators.
Source: Down To Earth