High phenotypic plasticity of Suaeda maritima observed under hypoxic conditions in relation to its physiological basis.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Phenotypic plasticity, the potential of specific traits of a genotype to respond to different environmental conditions, is an important adaptive mechanism for minimizing potentially adverse effects of environmental fluctuations in space and time. Suaeda maritima shows morphologically different forms on high and low areas of the same salt marsh. Our aims were to examine whether these phenotypic differences occurred as a result of plastic responses to the environment. Soil redox state, indicative of oxygen supply, was examined as a factor causing the observed morphological and physiological differences.

Methods

Reciprocal transplantation of seedlings was carried out between high and low marsh sites on a salt marsh and in simulated tidal-flow tanks in a glas

SUBMITTER: Wetson AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3310496 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature