In a plant competition experiment between two closely related species Desmodium glutinosum and D. nudiflorum, average growth of individuals in given in parentheses: Desmodium glutinosum grown alone (130 cm), grown within in 10 cm of large D. glutinosum individuals (25 cm), or within 10 cm of large D.nudiflorum individuals (45 cm). Desmodium nudiflorum grown alone (25 cm), within in 10 cm of large D. nudiflorum (15 cm) or within 10 cm of D. glutinosum (5 cm). What can you conclude?
A) There is no competition.
B) The growth of D. nudiflorum is depressed more by interspecific competition than by intraspecific competition.
C) The growth of D. nudiflorum is depressed more by intraspecific competition than by interspecific competition.
D) The growth of D. glutinosum is depressed more by interspecific competition than by intraspecific competition.
E) Competition between species is equal.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The growth of D. nudiflorum is more reduced when grown near D. glutinosum (5 cm) compared to when grown near its own species (15 cm), indicating stronger interspecific competition.

In a Plant Competition Experiment Between Two Closely Related Species