Genus Salsola of the Central Asian Flora; Its structure and adaptive evolutionary trends

Abstract

In the present work our proposed concept of “plant functional reproduction system” (PFRS) is based on common plant traits both structural and functional, that are responsible for similar responses to environmental conditions and that have dominant effects on major ecosystem processes. Groups of plant species with common structural features can form a “functional plant group”. Plant traits used for the identification and level of adaptation of species include important structural embryological parameters of floral organs, pollen biology and morphology, effective pollen control and pollination system, structural fruits traits, seed set and seed germination characteristics connected with reproductive plant functional activities (Wallace et al, 1968; Werker and Many, 1974; Young et al., 1983; Yamaguchi, 1990; Takeno et al. 1995). The fertility benefit of reproductive assurance for arid plants has not been examined in the light of their seed production. The reproductive plant functional hypothesis resolves this disparity between theoretical prediction and empirical results of seed production by explaining how combination of different types of pollination/fertilization can be advantageous in species with strong ecological habitat and inbreeding depression.