Convergent growth patterns of leaf populations of Leymus chinensis and Hordeum brevisubulatum of cultivated pasture on the Songnen Plains of China

Leymus chinensis and Hordeum brevisubulatum are rhizome grasses with vegetative propagation that is both vigorous and has similar characteristics. They are typical clonal plants. At the end of the growing season on the Songnen Plains of China, L.chinensis and H.brevisubulatum clones were both composed of tillers with different developing and growing times, forming a continuum for the two populations of their life history of vegetative growth pattern. According to plant population modular theory and using large sampling, a leaf population statistical growth analysis was carried out on the vegetative tillers of L.chinensis and H.brevisubulatum. The results showed that for both species, the leaf population of the vegetative tillers showed the same power function regulation of growth and change, including convergent development and growth processes, convergent biomass growth patterns, convergent growth modulation and biomass allocation strategies,and convergent leaf blade growth processes.