Evolution of drought resistance strategies following the introduction of white clover (Trifolium repens L.).

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Success during colonization is likely to depend on growing quickly and tolerating novel and stressful environmental conditions. However, rapid growth, stress avoidance and stress tolerance are generally considered divergent physiological strategies.

Methods

We evaluated how white clover (Trifolium repens) has evolved to a divergent water regime following introduction to North America. We conducted RNA sequencing within a dry-down experiment using accessions from low- and high-latitude populations from native and introduced ranges and assessed variation in dehydration avoidance (ability to avoid wilting) and dehydration tolerance (ability to survive wilting).

Key results

Introduced populations were better at avoiding dehydration, but poorer at toler

SUBMITTER: Hendrickson BT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12358027 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature