A major locus controls local adaptation and adaptive life history variation in a perennial plant.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The initiation of growth cessation and dormancy represent critical life-history trade-offs between survival and growth and have important fitness effects in perennial plants. Such adaptive life-history traits often show strong local adaptation along environmental gradients but, despite their importance, the genetic architecture of these traits remains poorly understood.

Results

We integrate whole genome re-sequencing with environmental and phenotypic data from common garden experiments to investigate the genomic basis of local adaptation across a latitudinal gradient in European aspen (Populus tremula). A single genomic region containing the PtFT2 gene mediates local adaptation in the timing of bud set and explains 65% of the observed genetic variation in bud set.

SUBMITTER: Wang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5985590 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature