Genetics and plasticity of white leaf mark variegation in white clover (Trifolium repens L.).

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Leaf variegation is common in plants and confers diverse adaptive functions. However, its genetic underpinnings remain largely unresolved; this is particularly true for variegation that arises through modified leaf tissue structure that affects light reflection. White clover is naturally polymorphic for structure-based white leaf mark variegation. It therefore provides a useful system in which to examine the genetic basis of this phenotype and to assess potential costs to photosynthetic efficiency resulting from modified leaf structures. In this study, we sought to map the loci controlling the white leaf mark in white clover and to evaluate the relationship between white leaf mark, leaf thickness and photosynthetic efficiency.

Methods

We generated a high-

SUBMITTER: Kuo WH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11687625 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature