Phenotypic plasticity of natural Populus trichocarpa populations in response to temporally environmental change in a common garden.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Natural selection on fitness-related traits can be temporally heterogeneous among populations. As climate changes, understanding population-level responses is of scientific and practical importance. We examined 18 phenotypic traits associated with phenology, biomass, and ecophysiology in 403 individuals of natural Populus trichocarpa populations, growing in a common garden.

Results

Compared with tree origin settings, propagules likely underwent drought exposures in the common garden due to significantly low rainfall during the years of measurement. All study traits showed population differentiation reflecting adaptive responses due to local genetic adaptation. Phenology and biomass traits were strongly under selection and showed plastic responses between years, co

SUBMITTER: Liu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6933736 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature