Physiological comparisons of old-field and coal-mine-spoil populations of Andropogon virginicus L. (Broomsedge)

Populations of Andropogon virginicus from three old-field and three abandoned coal-spoil habitats in Ohio were studied using reciprocal transplantings to compare plant mineral nutrition, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis and transpiration. Mine-spoil soils were deficient in nitrogen, potassium and calcium, but rich in phosphorus, iron, aluminum and sulfur. Plant element content reflected these differences for some elements but were often the same between habitats with certain exceptions. Mine-spoil plants had more nitrogen in seeds and potassium within stems than old-field plants. Old-field plants contained more magnesium within leaves. Chlorophyll content differed between habitats but was not ecotypically based. Populations differed in photosynthesis between habitats with local plants outperforming transplants in both mine and old field, but population differentiation was only observed for a few of the many variables examined.