Reproductive and early-acting life-history traits in the perennial grass Festuca ovina exposed to drought conditions

In July 2010, thirty individuals of F. ovina were collected from the drought and control plots at BCCIL, using a spatially stratified, randomised sampling design, from each of these climate environments (drought and control; six individuals per plot, per environment). Physically connected bunches of 4–8 tillers were recovered from each sampled plant and potted in cell trays in John Innes No. 1 compost. These clonal lines were subsequently allowed to establish in 3 L pots containing a 3:1 mix of John Innes No. 1 potting compost and medium grade Perlite at Ness Botanic Gardens, University of Liverpool, UK. They were maintained by biomass clipping 25 mm above the soil surface in September to mimic grazing and to promote clonal growth, and by seed head removal during July 2011, to prevent self-seeding. The clonal lines received natural rainfall, supplemented with a pumped ground-water supply in dry periods. Hereafter, these 59 field-collected clonal lines (one individual died following collection) are referred to as the parental or P1 plants.

For further details of method and sampling regime. please see the supporting documentation.