Population Ecology of Plantago major L. in Egypt

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the common communities associated with Plantago major, their distribution, diversity and environmental factors affected them. It aimed also at investigating the population dynamics, phytochemical, molecular and biological characteristics of the study species. Eight heterogenic habitats (ditches, urban, fallow lands, canal banks, cultivated crops, field edges, orchards, and roadsides) were selected for collecting plant data, sampling and analysis of the study plant. The flora and vegetation of the associated species were surveyed seasonally and analyzed through 172 sampled stands distributed in the different habitats. In addition, three quadrats (0.5 x 0.5 m) were selected seasonally in 2-5 sites in each habitat for studying the population dynamics of P. major. Plants were collected for estimating growth measurements (density, height, leaf area, biomass, etc.), micromorphology, nutrients and heavy metals, molecular properties, possible allelopathic effect, and the phytochemical constituents (primary and secondary metabolites) and their biological activities. One hundred species (66 annuals and 34 perennials) belonging to 60 genera and 31 families were recorded associated with P. major. The dominant families were Poaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, and Fabaceae. Therophytes were the dominant life form, followed by geophytes-helophtes, hemicryptophytes, phanerophytes, chamaephytes and hydrophytes. Also, pluri-regional elements were dominated over mono-regional, bi-regional taxa, and cosmopolitans. The application of TWINSPAN on the presence/absence estimates of 100 species associated with P. major in the 172 sampled stands led to the recognition of 14 vegetation groups. Six vegetation groups represented mixed habitats: A) P. major-Amaranthus hybrids, E) P. major - Chenopodium murale - Soncuhs oleraceous, F) P. major - Convolvulus arvensis, H) P. major - Amaranthus lividus, I) P. major - Cynodon dactylon, and M) P. major - Cynanchum acutum; two groups: P. major - Bidens pilosa - Imperata cylindrica and P. major - Euophorbia peplis groups (VG B and C) were common in urban habitat; two other groups: P. major - Echinocloa stagnina - Bidens pilosa and P. major - Poa annua (VG D and K) dominated the ditches; and two vegetation groups: P. major - Cyperus rotundus and P. major