Temperature-mediated flower size plasticity in Arabidopsis

Area of Science:

• Plant Biology
• Evolutionary Genetics
• Climate Change Adaptation

Background:

• Phenotypic plasticity allows organisms to adjust traits in response to environmental changes.
• Understanding temperature-mediated plasticity in plant fitness traits, like flower size, is crucial for predicting climate change impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate genetic variation in flower size plasticity to temperature in *Arabidopsis thaliana* and *A. arenosa*.
• To identify genetic factors controlling flower size plasticity in response to temperature.
• To explore the relationship between trait control and plasticity control.

Main Methods:

• Collected *Arabidopsis thaliana* and *A. arenosa* from natural habitats.
• Performed genetic analysis on a panel of 290 *A. thaliana* accessions and mutant lines.
• Associated the *MADS AFFECTING FLOWERING* (MAF) 2-5 gene cluster with flower size plasticity.

Main Results:

• Substantial genetic variation in flower size plasticity to temperature was observed in both species.
• The *MAF* 2-5 gene cluster, known for flowering time regulation, was linked to flower size plasticity.
• Evidence suggests that plasticity control differs from the control of the trait itself.

Conclusions:

• Identified genetic and molecular factors underlying temperature-mediated flower size plasticity.
• Highlights the distinct genetic control of plasticity versus the trait itself.
• Provides insights into plant adaptation mechanisms for future climate scenarios.