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.