Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Characterizing Herbivore Resistance Mechanisms: Spittlebugs on Brachiaria spp. as an Example
Published on: June 19, 2011
Compensatory branching and changes in nitrogen content in the aquatic weed Salvinia molesta in response to disbudding
Michael H Julien1, Anne S Bourne2
1Division of Entomology, Long Pocket Laboratories, CSIRO, PMB No. 3, 4068, Indooroopilly, Queensland, Australia.
Abstract:
Secondary side branching in Salvinia molesta plants grown in nutrient solution was dependent on the availability of nitrogen. The compensatory response of S. molesta to damage by complete manual disbudding was the production of extensive secondary side branching at nitrogen levels below those required for this type of branching in undamaged plants. After 28 days damaged plants had the same number of ramets as undamaged plants but the dry weight was considerably reduced.After 7 days there was no change in dry weight with partial or complete disbudding. However completely disbudded plants had no new ramets and plants with all terminal buds removed had numbers of ramets significantly reduced. The concentration of nitrogen in the tissue of new growth was higher in damaged than undamaged plants. The results are discussed in relation to the biological control of S. molesta by the bud-eating weevil, Cyrtobagous salviniae.
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Salt Stress
Responses to Drought and Flooding
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores
C4 Pathway and CAM
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...
Seedless Vascular Plants

