Authors
Catherine E Bach, Allan J Hruska
Publication date
1981/12/1
Journal
Journal of Applied Ecology
Pages
929-943
Publisher
Blackwell Science Publications
Description
(1) The growth, reproduction, and survivorship of cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) were studied in experimental plots of two densities (low and high) and two diversities (cucumber monocultures and polycultures of cucumbers, corn (Zea mays) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea)). (2) Both density and diversity strongly affected plant growth and reproduction, but diversity effects were stronger and more consistent over time. Interactive effects between density and diversity were significant for growth only. Plants in monocultures had greater leaf areas, vine lengths, growth rates, numbers of flowers, and yields than did plants in polycultures, and plants at low density had greater values for most of these parameters than did plants at high density. (3) Leaf area distributions were positively skewed throughout the season in high density polycultures only, but also became positively skewed in high density monocultures towards the …
Total citations
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