Shoot apical meristem and plant body organization: a cross-species comparative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The shoot apical meristem (SAM) is the key organizing element in the plant body and is responsible for the core of plant body organization and shape. Surprisingly, there are almost no comparative data that would show links between parameters of the SAM and whole-plant traits as drivers of the plant's response to the environment.

Methods

Interspecific differences in SAM anatomy were examined in 104 perennial herbaceous angiosperms.

Key results

There were differences in SAM parameters among individual species, their phylogenetic patterns, and how their variation is linked to variation in plant above-ground organs and hence species' environmental niches. SAM parameters were correlated with the size-related traits of leaf area, seed mass and stem diame

SUBMITTER: Schnablova R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5737494 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature