Sains Malaysiana, 2015;44:347-354.

Abstract

The effect of maternal mowing on seed traits of an invasive weed, Erigeron annuus, in farmland was discussed by
comparing mowing plants with intact (no-mowing) plants. The maternal mowing effect resulted in the decrease of seed
mass, achene size, pappus length and germination percentage and the increase of variation in achene size, pappus length,
dispersal distance and germination non-uniformity. To some extent, the individuals suffered mowing might accelerate
the environmental adaptation through the increase of these variations. Our study indicated the mean of mowing in
farmland will restrain the growth and reproduction of weed E. annuus. However, it also increases the diversity of seeds
through a more unequal provision to seeds that shares the risk and increases fitness to a wider range of heterogeneity
of farmland condition.