Local adaptation enhances performance of common plant species

Geographic variation can lead to the evolution of different local varieties , even in widespread forage plants. We investigated the performance of comm on forage plants in relation to their genetic diversity and local adaptatio n at a continental scale using reciprocal transplants at eight field sites across Europe over a 2-year period. The overall performance of the three te st species, Trifolium pratense, Dactylis glomerata, Plantago lanceolata, wa s generally highest for plants replanted at their home site and declined wi th increasing transplanting distance. The three species differed in the fit ness components responsible for the increased overall performance and selec tion advantage at home sites. In addition to the effects of local adaptatio n, the majority of measured traits in all three species also showed ecotypi c variation. However, no single ecotype of any species was able to outperfo rm the locally adapted strains and do best at all sites, highlighting the i mportance of maintaining these plant genetic resources.