Abstract: The trade-offs among reproductive traits reflect the ecological strategies of resource acquisition and allocation in plant reproduction, which affects the germination, growth and competitiveness of offsprings. Plants play a crucial role in both productivity and ecological functions in grasslands. The studies on the ecological strategies of reproductive traits in grassland plants have found that there are trade-offs between vegetative growth and reproduction, reproductive mode, and floral traits. In contrast, less attention has been paid on the trade-offs among reproductive traits. Here, we review the progress of research on trade-offs among reproductive traits in grassland plants from the perspectives of sexual and asexual reproduction, floral traits, seed size and number, and tradeoffs between the underground bud bank and soil seed bank. Few studies have focused on trade-off relationships at the level of individual plants and inflorescences within populations. We revealed how reproductive trade-offs shape plant reproductive strategies and the mechanisms of survival adaptability. Furthermore, by delving into the critical role of trade-off mechanisms in plant growth, population dynamics, and ecosystem diversity, we elucidated their theoretical significance in understanding plant growth, reproduction, and stress responses under the background of global change. This review would provide diverse perspectives for future research on the trade-offs of plant reproductive traits in grasslands.

Key words: reproductive trait, plant functional trait, trade-off, biomass allocation pattern, life-history strategy