Phenotypic plasticity in mating-system traits in the annual Collinsia verna

Botany ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (9) ◽  
pp. 597-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel B. Spigler ◽  
Susan Kalisz
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Mating System ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Selective Advantage ◽  
Anther Dehiscence ◽  
Flower Number ◽  
Floral Longevity ◽  
Collinsia Verna

Variation in abiotic factors can influence the selective advantage of selfing and expression of the mating system if mating-system modifier traits are phenotypically plastic. However, relative to biotic factors, the role of abiotic conditions in driving variation in and evolution of plant mating systems is rarely addressed. We use an experimental approach to evaluate the extent to which genetic and environmental variation influence the expression of mating-system traits in the annual Collinsia verna. We subjected families to two environmental treatments in the greenhouse that varied in light and water availability, simulating natural and short flowering-season conditions, and examined the following: autonomous fruit set, flower number, flower size, rate of anther dehiscence, floral longevity, and timing of selfing. Our results demonstrate plasticity in nearly all traits examined. Compared with natural-season conditions, plants under short-season conditions produced fewer, smaller flowers and selfed approximately one day later due to slower anther dehiscence rates. Autonomous fruit set was similar across treatments, but there was genetic variation for plasticity in this important trait. Further, we show genetic variation in autonomous fruit set, timing of selfing, and flower number and size. Given the effects of global climate change on the duration of growing season, our results suggest that plasticity in mating-system traits will affect mating-system variation and, thus, opportunities for selection.

scholarly journals Effects of Abiotic Factors on HIPV-Mediated Interactions between Plants and Parasitoids

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Becker ◽  
Nicolas Desneux ◽  
Lucie Monticelli ◽  
Xavier Fernandez ◽  
Thomas Michel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Volatiles ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Green Leaf Volatiles ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
Leaf Volatiles ◽  
Parasitic Hymenoptera ◽  
Growing Conditions

In contrast to constitutively emitted plant volatiles (PV), herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPV) are specifically emitted by plants when afflicted with herbivores. HIPV can be perceived by parasitoids and predators which parasitize or prey on the respective herbivores, including parasitic hymenoptera. HIPV act as signals and facilitate host/prey detection. They comprise a blend of compounds: main constituents are terpenoids and “green leaf volatiles.” Constitutive emission of PV is well known to be influenced by abiotic factors like temperature, light intensity, water, and nutrient availability. HIPV share biosynthetic pathways with constitutively emitted PV and might therefore likewise be affected by abiotic conditions. However, the effects of abiotic factors on HIPV-mediated biotic interactions have received only limited attention to date. HIPV being influenced by the plant’s growing conditions could have major implications for pest management. Quantitative and qualitative changes in HIPV blends may improve or impair biocontrol. Enhanced emission of HIPV may attract a larger number of natural enemies. Reduced emission rates or altered compositions, however, may render blends imperceptible to parasitoides and predators. Predicting the outcome of these changes is highly important for food production and for ecosystems affected by global climate change.

Effect of water availability and genetic diversity on flowering phenology, synchrony and reproductive investment in summer squash

2012 ◽  
Vol 151 (6) ◽  
pp. 775-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. CAMPBELL ◽  
J. LUO ◽  
K. L. MERCER
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
Flowering Synchrony ◽  
Female Function ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Female Flowers

SUMMARYCurrent agricultural practices rely on crops with developmental phenologies adapted to local climate, photoperiods and soils; however, global climate change will alter some abiotic factors (e.g. temperature and precipitation). Previously adapted varieties may be poorly prepared for these changing conditions, if such conditions induce mismatched phenologies. Crops that depend on cross-pollination and synchronous flowering may be most susceptible, e.g. monoecious plants have separate male and female flowers, and changes in flowering synchrony may alter yield. Using genetically diverse (open-pollinated (OP)) and genetically homogeneous (hybrid) varieties of a monoecious crop, courgette, also known as zuchinni (Cucurbita pepo), phenological responses to experimentally manipulated moisture conditions were explored in an agricultural context. Under drier and wetter conditions, the hybrid courgette plants shifted towards a male-biased floral sex ratio due to the reduced production of female flowers. However, flowering synchrony and fruit production were unaffected by moisture treatment in both varieties. The hybrid and OP varieties differed in many traits related to floral sex ratios, phenology, synchrony and fruit production. Further, the OP variety displayed more phenotypic variation than the hybrid in many traits. Being in a population context rather than relying on self-pollination increased the availability of potential mates for a given female flower in both the hybrid and, particularly, the OP variety. Thus, the increased genetic diversity found in OP v. hybrid varieties may buffer the possible environmental effects on flowering synchrony within a cropping context. Finally, the likelihood of female flowers setting fruit increased with the number of male flowers within a population, and the rate of increase was higher in the hybrid variety. In summary, climate change is predicted to reduce investment in female function in some monoecious crops and genetically diverse varieties may play an important role in maintaining reproductive synchrony in altered environments.

scholarly journals Standing genetic variation in a tissue-specific enhancer underlies selfing-syndrome evolution inCapsella

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (48) ◽  
pp. 13911-13916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrien Sicard ◽  
Christian Kappel ◽  
Young Wha Lee ◽  
Natalia Joanna Woźniak ◽  
Cindy Marona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Mating System ◽  
Allelic Variation ◽  
Size Variation ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Flower Size ◽  
Evolutionary Transitions ◽  
Tissue Specific ◽  
Organ Specific ◽  
Petal Size

Mating system shifts recurrently drive specific changes in organ dimensions. The shift in mating system from out-breeding to selfing is one of the most frequent evolutionary transitions in flowering plants and is often associated with an organ-specific reduction in flower size. However, the evolutionary paths along which polygenic traits, such as size, evolve are poorly understood. In particular, it is unclear how natural selection can specifically modulate the size of one organ despite the pleiotropic action of most known growth regulators. Here, we demonstrate that allelic variation in the intron of a general growth regulator contributed to the specific reduction of petal size after the transition to selfing in the genusCapsella. Variation within this intron affects an organ-specific enhancer that regulates the level of STERILE APETALA (SAP) protein in the developing petals. The resulting decrease inSAPactivity leads to a shortening of the cell proliferation period and reduced number of petal cells. The absence of private polymorphisms at the causal region in the selfing species suggests that the small-petal allele was captured from standing genetic variation in the ancestral out-crossing population. Petal-size variation in the current out-crossing population indicates that several small-effect mutations have contributed to reduce petal-size. These data demonstrate how tissue-specific regulatory elements in pleiotropic genes contribute to organ-specific evolution. In addition, they provide a plausible evolutionary explanation for the rapid evolution of flower size after the out-breeding-to-selfing transition based on additive effects of segregating alleles.

scholarly journals BIOLOGIA FLORAL, CICLOS FENOLÓGICOS E DESENVOLVIMENTO DE FRUTOS DE DOIS CULTIVARES DE NOGUEIRA MACADÂMIA EM SÃO MANUEL – SP

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 562-572
Author(s):  
Rafael Bibiano Ferreira ◽  
Marcelo de Souza Silva ◽  
Jackson Mirellys Azevedo Souza ◽  
Joyce Helena Modesto ◽  
Sarita Leonel
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Flower Senescence ◽  
Flower Number ◽  
Phenological Stages ◽  
Macadamia Integrifolia ◽  
The City ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Fruit Formation ◽  
Made In

BIOLOGIA FLORAL, CICLOS FENOLÓGICOS E DESENVOLVIMENTO DE FRUTOS DE DOIS CULTIVARES DE NOGUEIRA MACADÂMIA EM SÃO MANUEL – SP   RAFAEL BIBIANO FERREIRA1, MARCELO DE SOUZA SILVA2, JACKSON MIRELLYS AZEVÊDO SOUZA3, JOYCE HELENA MODESTO4, SARITA LEONEL   1Departamento de Horticultura, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida Universitária, n° 3780, Altos do Paraíso, Botucatu – SP, Brasil, CEP 18610-034, e-mail: [email protected]; 2Departamento de Horticultura, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida Universitária, n° 3780, Altos do Paraíso, Botucatu – SP, Brasil, CEP 18610-034, e-mail: [email protected]; 3Departamento de Horticultura, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida Universitária, n° 3780, Altos do Paraíso, Botucatu – SP, Brasil, CEP 18610-034, e-mail: [email protected]; 4Departamento de Horticultura, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida Universitária, n° 3780, Altos do Paraíso, Botucatu – SP, Brasil, CEP 18610-034, e-mail: [email protected]; 5Departamento de Horticultura, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida Universitária, n° 3780, Altos do Paraíso, Botucatu – SP, Brasil, CEP 18610-034, e-mail: [email protected].   RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a biologia floral, os ciclos fenológicos e o desenvolvimento dos frutos de cultivares de nogueira macadâmia em São Manuel, SP. Utilizaram-se os cultivares HAES 344 e HAES 660. Quando em pleno florescimento, avaliou-se, nas inflorescências, o comprimento do racemo, o número total de flores e a porcentagem de flores em pré-antese, antese e senescentes. Para a avaliação dos ciclos fenológicos e desenvolvimento dos frutos, marcaram-se ramos com gemas intumescidas, as quais foram avaliadas até a formação e queda natural dos frutos. Após a emissão dos primeiros frutos, avaliou-se o número, o comprimento e o diâmetro em intervalos quinzenais. No final das avaliações, determinou-se o número total e a porcentagem de frutos maduros em relação ao número inicial de flores. Com base nos resultados, verifica-se que após o início do florescimento ocorre grande desuniformidade nos racemos das plantas, que se estendem durante todo período produtivo. ‘HAES 344’ e ‘HAES 660’ possuem estádios fenológicos semelhantes, em relação à época e duração dos mesmos. O maior crescimento dos frutos, de ambas as cultivares, ocorre entre 30 e 90 dias após a antese, enquanto que o maior abortamento concentra-se após a antese para o cultivar HAES 344.   Palavras-chaves: Macadamia integrifólia, fenologia, nozes, botânica.   FLORAL BIOLOGY, PHENOLOGICAL CYCLES AND FRUIT DEVELOPMENT OF TWO MACADAMIA WALNUT CULTIVARS IN SÃO MANUEL – SP   ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate floral biology, phenological cycles and fruit set development of macadamia cultivars in the city of São Manuel, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Therefore, two cultivars were evaluated such as HAES 344 and HAES 660. During full blooming period, the following analyses were made in inflorescences: raceme length; total flower number; the percentage of pre-anthesis, anthesis and flower senescence. For phenological cycles and fruit set development, swollen buds were marked on branches to be evaluated until fruit formation and ripe fruits fall. When fruits began to appear, their number, length and diameter were evaluated every fortnight. At the end of evaluations, the total number and percentage of ripe fruits were determined concerning the initial flower number. Results indicated that racemes began after flowering throughout the productive period. Also, HAES 344 and HAES 660 have similar phenological stages with regards to time and duration. Furthermore, the highest fruit growth of both cultivars occurred between 30 and 90 days after anthesis; however, the largest abortion was mainly concentrated after anthesis for HAES 344.   Keywords:Macadamia integrifólia, fenology, nuts, botany.

scholarly journals 660 Reducing Floral Initiation and Return Bloom in Stone Fruit Trees: Applications and Implications in Fruit Production

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 561F-562
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Southwick
Keyword(s):  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Prunus Armeniaca ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Stone Fruit ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Flower Number ◽  
Prunus Salicina

Commercially grown apricots (Prunus armeniaca), peaches (Prunus persica), nectarines (Prunus persica), plums (Prunus salicina and Prunus domestica), and pluots (Prunus salicina × Prunus armeniaca) have a tendency to produce high numbers of flowers. These flowers often set and produce more fruit than trees can adequately size to meet market standards. When excessive fruit set occurs, removal of fruit by hand-thinning is common to ensure that fruit size meets market standards. Over the years there have been numerous attempts to find chemical or physical techniques that would help to reduce costs associated with and improve efficiencies of hand-thinning; however, using alternate strategies to hand-thinning have not been widely adopted in stone fruit production. In the past 10 years, through the continuing efforts of scientists throughout the world in public and private institutions and business, it appears that there are chemical sprays capable of reducing the need for hand-thinning in stone fruit. Management of flowering by reducing the number of flowers on apricot, peach, nectarine, plum, and prune has shown promise under climatic conditions such as those found in the San Joaquin Valley of California. By applying gibberellins during May through July, flowers in many stone fruit cultivars can be reduced in the following season. The reduction in flower number does not generally lead to an increase in fruit set. As a result, fruit numbers are reduced, the need for hand thinning can be reduced, and in some cases eliminated. There are risks associated with reducing flower number before climatic conditions during bloom or final fruit set are known. However, given the changes in labor costs and market demands, especially in the developed world, the benefits may outweigh the risks. The application and implications of these summer gibberellin applications toward reducing flower numbers will be discussed as it relates to commercial stone fruit growing.

scholarly journals Mating system and female reproductive success of the endemic, epiphytic Prosthechea aff. karwinskii (Orchidaceae)

Lankesteriana ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ericka Camacho-Domínguez ◽  
Irene Ávila-Díaz
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Mating System ◽  
Sexual Reproduction ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Open Pollination ◽  
Female Reproductive Success ◽  
Hand Pollination ◽  
Northern Portion

Prosthechea aff. karwinskii (Mart.) Soto Arenas & Salazar (unpublished name) is an endemic Mexican epiphytic orchid with a restricted distribution. It occurs in deciduous oak forests, particularly on Quercus deserticola in the northern portion of Michoacán state. Due to their ornamental uses, this and other orchid species have been heavily collected from their natural populations. Learning about the reproductive biology of this species is important, as we may gain knowledge about the probable repercussions of overcollecting on their genetics and ecology. This will be a useful tool for the management and conservation of the species. The objectives were to 1) study the mating system of P. aff. karwinskii, 2) determine if the species requires an external pollinating agent for sexual reproduction, and 3) evaluate female reproductive success of this species. Exclusions (150) were made before anthesis. Once the flowers opened, we applied four pollination treatments: manual selfing, outcrossing, spontaneous autogamy, and open pollination. We subsequently quantified the production of fruits and viability of the seeds. Preliminary results showed that outcrossing and selfing treatments exhibited statistically higher fruit set than spontaneous autogamy and open pollination treatments, meaning that P. aff. karwinskii has the capability to reproduce via self-pollination. Prosthechea aff. karwinskii is pollinator-dependent for sexual reproduction, taking into account that the spontaneous autogamy treatment showed nil fruit production. Female reproductive success in open pollinated flowers was lower compared to fruit set of hand pollination treatments. This indicates that this species, as other species of tropical orchids, is pollination-limited. 

Effect of Antitranspirant and Fertilization on Flowering, Fruiting, and Biomass Production in `Early Girl' Tomato Plants

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 456c-456
Author(s):  
Sanliang Gu ◽  
Leslie H. Fuchigami ◽  
Lailiang Cheng ◽  
Sung H. Guak ◽  
Charles C.H. Shin
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Release ◽  
Lycopersicon Esculentum ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Flower Number ◽  
Tomato Plants ◽  
Fruit Number ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Fertilization Rates

Seedling plugs of `Early Girl' tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were potted in peatmoss and perlite (60:40% by volume) medium, fertilized with 8, 16, 24, or 32 g NutriCote Total controlled-release fertilizer (type 100, 13N–5.67P–10.79K plus micronutrients) per pot (2.81 L), and treated with 0%, 2.5%, 5%, or 7.5% antitranspirant GLK-8924 solution, at the four true-leaf stage. Plants were tipped at the second inflorescence and laterals were removed upon emergence. Flowering of both clusters were advanced by higher fertilization rates and depressed by GLK-8924. Increasing rates of fertilization increased flower and fruit number of the lower cluster and fruit set of upper cluster. GLK-8924 had no effect on flower number, fruit number, and fruit set. Fertilization increased the biomass production of all plant parts while GLK-8924 reduced the biomass production of leaves and fruit only. Root and stem biomass was not influenced by GLK-8924. The effect of GLK-8924 on fruit dry weight was dependent on the position of the cluster and GLK-8924 concentration. Fertilization did not interact with GLK-8924 to influence flowering, fruiting, and biomass production.

scholarly journals Mendelian sampling terms as a selective advantage in optimum breeding schemes with restrictions on the rate of inbreeding

2004 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. AVENDAÑO ◽  
J. A. WOOLLIAMS ◽  
B. VILLANUEVA
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Genetic Gain ◽  
Selective Advantage ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Truncation Selection ◽  
Joint Management ◽  
Breeding Schemes ◽  
Estimated Breeding Values ◽  
Available Information ◽  
Mendelian Sampling

Quadratic indices are a general approach for the joint management of genetic gain and inbreeding in artificial selection programmes. They provide the optimal contributions that selection candidates should have to obtain the maximum gain when the rate of inbreeding is constrained to a predefined value. This study shows that, when using quadratic indices, the selective advantage is a function of the Mendelian sampling terms. That is, at all times, contributions of selected candidates are allocated according to the best available information about their Mendelian sampling terms (i.e. about their superiority over their parental average) and not on their breeding values. By contrast, under standard truncation selection, both estimated breeding values and Mendelian sampling terms play a major role in determining contributions. A measure of the effectiveness of using genetic variation to achieve genetic gain is presented and benchmark values of 0·92 for quadratic optimisation and 0·5 for truncation selection are found for a rate of inbreeding of 0·01 and a heritability of 0·25.

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