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Abstract Detail



Developmental and Structural Section

Doust, Andrew Nicholas [1], Mauro-Herrera, Margarita [2].

Phenotypic plasticity and its genetic regulation in the weedy grass Setaria viridis (Panicoideae, Poaceae).

Setaria viridis is one of the world’s most widespread weeds, ranging from ~60ËšN to 40ËšS, including a scattered occurrence over highland tropical regions. The species is highly selfing, and exhibits a range of growth forms that are both the result of local adaptation as well as phenotypic plasticity of individual accessions. We have been engaged in a range of experiments to assess the limits of plasticity in one genotype, the accession A10.1, which is becoming a new grass model system for C4 grasses. These experiments targeted the effects of variation in light, shading, water, and crowding conditions on plant traits, and were carried out by undergraduate science and education majors, and high school teachers. In parallel, we have investigated the genetic regulation of phenotypic traits in field, greenhouse and growth chamber genetic mapping experiments using recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between A10.1 and an accession of the domesticated foxtail millet (S. italica). In general we find that, as expected, phenotypic plasticity is most pronounced in those traits where the plant is most directly affected by environmental fluctuation, and where plasticity could confer a fitness advantage. Such traits include flowering time and plant architecture. Other traits that must produce a desired outcome regardless of the environment, such as shattering (disarticulation of reproductive propagule), show little plasticity. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis reveals a surprising stability across trials for flowering time but much variation for plant architecture, especially branching. We have not yet examined QTL for shattering in multiple trials. Interestingly, while shattering appears to exhibit little plasticity within Setaria viridis or other species, there is great variation across the family as a whole. This is unlike branching or flowering time, which show similar patterns of plasticity within most species across grasses.


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1 - Oklahoma State University, Botany, Physical Sciences Room 301, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
2 - Oklahoma State University, Botany, Stillwater, OK, 74075, USA

Keywords:
Setaria viridis
phenotypic plasticity
QTL mapping
plant architecture
branching
flowering time
shattering
Grasses.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 76
Location: Salon 11/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Wednesday, July 29th, 2015
Time: 4:30 PM
Number: 76004
Abstract ID:1316
Candidate for Awards:Katherine Esau Award


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