Consequences of near and far between-population crosses for offspring fitness in a rare herb.

Abstract

Crosses between plants from different populations may result in heterosis or outbreeding depression. We conducted reciprocal crosses between four populations from two regions in the rare perennial herb Aster amellus a draw conclusions for species conservation.

We conclude that hybridisation between A. amellus plants from different populations did not lead to immediate outbreeding depression.

Keywords

• outbreeding depression
• breeding system
• Aster amellus