Amy Zidron Influence on Size at Maturity in Draba verna L. (Brassicaceae) in Granville, OH Division Sciences Department Biology Year 2003 Advisor Julie Mulory and Paul Andreadis

Draba verna L. is a winter annual found in Granville, Ohio.  Despite genetic homogeneity at various localities these plants show size variation at reproductive maturity.  The variables studied were mother size, number of seeds collected per mother, seed size, and first seedling emergence date.  Competition was eliminated as a factor in the experimental design.  Statistical analysis was done to compare the variables and determine if any correlations were present.  The number of seeds collected was positively correlated with the size of the mother.  No correlation existed between mother size and average seed size or between mother size and the date of first seedling emergence.  Smaller mothers showed greater variance in emergence time.  Being a small mother proved to be disadvantageous.  The size variation in adult D. verna is still puzzling; however, these results can be used as a starting point for future research on D. verna.