| The environment may limit the expression of induced responses to herbivory, such as increased chemical or physical defenses. Recent studies in climbing plants have shown that leaf damage induces twining. This response may confer protection against ground herbivores in the field. We addressed the effect of drought on the induced twining of the annual vine Ipomoea purpurea (Convolvulaceae), which can experience drought stress in natural conditions. In a greenhouse experiment, we recorded twining rate (proportion of plants successfully climbing at a given time) of damaged and undamaged individuals of I. purpurea subjected to control watering and water shortage treatments. We also estimated stem growth rate and stem water content in experimental plants, just... |
