Developmental stability, canalization and phenotypic plasticity in annual herbaceous species under different biotic and abiotic conditions

Author(s):  
Shu Wang ◽  
Dao-Wei Zhou

Abstract The relationships among developmental stability, canalization and phenotypic plasticity have not been well understood. Inconsistent conclusions from different studies suggested the complexity of their associations, probably depending on specific traits, environmental contexts and plant growth stages. To address this issue, we conducted three experiments (EXP I ~ III) with several annual herbaceous species, to investigate the relationships among leaf (or cotyledon) developmental stability, canalization and plasticity and their variations with different biotic and abiotic environmental conditions and plant growth stages, with comparisons among different species at their early growth stage. We analyzed variations in mean trait value, lamina fluctuating asymmetry (FA), coefficient of variation (CV) and plasticity (RDPIs) and their correlations for lamina size (LS) of individual plants, for LS, petiole length (PL) and petiole angle (PA) of different plant layers in Abutilon theophrasti at three densities in infertile and fertile (or only fertile) soil conditions at three (or two) stages, and for cotyledon size (CS) of five species in contrasting light conditions and seeding depths. High vs. low density decreased LS (with negative RDPIs), FA indexes and CVs, either for individual plants or different layers, especially in fertile soil. Shading was more likely to increase CS (except for A. therophrasti) and FA and decrease CV; deep seeding increased CS of some species in full light, but decreased CS and FA of other species in shading (except for A. therophrasti). FA indexes more likely had positive correlations with mean value, CV and RDPIs of traits; correlations between CV and RDPIs can be positive, negative or insignificant. Correlations among the three variables were more likely positive or insignificant for traits of LS, CS and PL, but more likely negative or insignificant for PA. High density and infertile soil may favor more positive over negative correlations among variables. Results suggested higher levels of lamina FA more likely indicate higher growth rates of plants or modules. Developmental stability was more likely to have positive correlations with canalization, and negative correlations with plasticity, indicating certain common mechanisms associated with them. Environmental stresses can lead to greater phenotypic variations at different levels, facilitating cooperation between the three processes in dealing with environmental challenges.

Author(s):  
Shu Wang ◽  
Dao-Wei Zhou

Most studies on animals have conducted comparative studies to deduce the possible relationships among developmental stability, canalization and phenotypic plasticity, there is a lack of direct evidence in plants, which should be better study materials. To investigate the correlations among developmental stability, canalization and plasticity in plants, we conducted a field experiment with Abutilon theophrasti, by subjected plants to three densities under infertile vs. fertile soil conditions, and measured leaf size, leaf fluctuating asymmetry (FA), and calculated coefficient of variation among leaves within individuals (CVleaf) and among individuals (CVin) and relative plasticity (PIrel) and its degree in leaf size at three growth stages, to analyze the responses of their correlations to density and how they may vary with soil conditions or growth stages. Results showed a decrease of FA, CVleaf and PIrel and an increase of CVin in leaf size, with increased density. In most cases, there were no correlations among these variables, but negative correlations between CVin and PIrel, positive correlations between FA and PIrel at high density and/or in fertile soil, in infertile soil. It suggested that higher FA may indicate the state of faster growth rather than an indicator of environmental stresses; there are correlations among developmental stability, canalization and plasticity, which may be complex, affected by other factors. The loss of developmental stability may be beneficial for plant response to environmental stresses, while decreased canalization can be either disadvantageous or advantageous, depending on that the size variation results from an increase or decrease of smaller individuals, and whether its correlations with other variables reflect beneficial or adverse environmental effects.


Author(s):  
Shu Wang ◽  
Dao-Wei Zhou

Phenotypic integration and developmental canalization have been hypothesized to constrain the degree of phenotypic plasticity, but there is little evidence for the relationships among the three processes in different environments, especially for plants under natural conditions. To address this issue, we conducted a field experiment by subjecting plants of Abutilon theophrasti to low, medium and high densities, under infertile and fertile soil conditions, measured a variety of traits and analyzed canalization (coefficient of variation [CV]), integration (coefficient of integration [CI] and the number of significant correlations of a trait with other traits [NC]), and plasticity (REL RDPIs and ABS RDPIs) in these traits and their relationships at two stages of plant growth. Our results showed an increase in mean CV, NC and ABS RDPIs of traits with density, and the positive correlations between trait NC and ABS RDPIs became stronger with higher densities but weaker over time in fertile soil, while correlations among trait CV, NC and ABS RDPIs became stronger over time in infertile soil. Results suggested shared or cooperation mechanisms among phenotypic integration, canalization and plasticity. Soil conditions and growth stage may affect responses of these correlations to density via modifying plant size and competition strength. The attenuated canalization and enhanced integration may be helpful for the production of plasticity, especially under intense competition.


2013 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 813-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
LEONARDO B. DE CARVALHO ◽  
PEDRO L.C.A. ALVES ◽  
STEPHEN O. DUKE

Weed management systems in almost all Brazilian coffee plantations allow herbicide spray to drift on crop plants. In order to evaluate if there is any effect of the most commonly used herbicide in coffee production, glyphosate, on coffee plants, a range of glyphosate doses were applied directly on coffee plants at two distinct plant growth stages. Although growth of both young and old plants was reduced at higher glyphosate doses, low doses caused no effects on growth characteristics of young plants and stimulated growth of older plants. Therefore, hormesis with glyphosate is dependent on coffee plant growth stage at the time of herbicide application.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (23) ◽  
pp. 7070
Author(s):  
Chenxu Liu ◽  
Hui Zhou ◽  
Jie Zhou

With the frequent occurrence of extreme climate, global agriculture is confronted with unprecedented challenges, including increased food demand and a decline in crop production. Nanotechnology is a promising way to boost crop production, enhance crop tolerance and decrease the environmental pollution. In this review, we summarize the recent findings regarding innovative nanotechnology in crop production, which could help us respond to agricultural challenges. Nanotechnology, which involves the use of nanomaterials as carriers, has a number of diverse applications in plant growth and crop production, including in nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, nanosensors and nanobiotechnology. The unique structures of nanomaterials such as high specific surface area, centralized distribution size and excellent biocompatibility facilitate the efficacy and stability of agro-chemicals. Besides, using appropriate nanomaterials in plant growth stages or stress conditions effectively promote plant growth and increase tolerance to stresses. Moreover, emerging nanotools and nanobiotechnology provide a new platform to monitor and modify crops at the molecular level.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Farid Kuswantoro ◽  
R.C. Hidayat Soesilohadi

Paddy field was a dynamic and biodiversity rich ecosystems. Insect diversity in paddy field ecosystem was infected by paddy plant growth stages. Grass frog (Fejervarya limnocharis) ate insects as their natural prey. Insect population dynamics during vegetative, generative and reproductive stage of paddy plants infected F. limnocharis natural prey. This research aims were to study insect diversity and F. limnocharis insect prey diversity of vegetative, reproductive and generative paddy plant growth stages at Panggungharjo village, Sewon, Bantul. Insect sampling was conducted by direct survey method while F. limnocharis collection conducted by Visual Encounter Survey (VES) method. Ninety eight insect species from 51 different families and nine orders of insect were found. The orders were Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Odonata, Orthoptera, Dictyoptera, Dermaptera, Hemiptera and Lepidoptera. Stomachs analysis indicated F. limnocharis ate nine insect orders. The orders were Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Orthoptera, Dictyoptera, Dermaptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera and Isoptera. Most commonly insect prey in vegetative, reproductive and generative phase paddy growth stage were the members of the Order Coleoptera, Family Acrididae (Orthoptera) and Family Formicidae (Hymenoptera) respectively. This study concluded F. limnocharis main natural prey was the easily found and easily perceived insects.


2010 ◽  
Vol 339 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 447-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Bing-Hai Du ◽  
Zhi-gang Jin ◽  
Zheng-hua Li ◽  
Hong-ning Song ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pawitar Singh ◽  
S.S. Dhaliwal ◽  
U.S. Sadana ◽  
J.S. Manchanda

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