Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Natural variation in germination responses of Arabidopsis to seasonal cues and their associated physiological mechanisms.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Barua, D; Butler, C; Tisdale, TE; Donohue, K
Published in: Annals of botany
January 2012

Despite the intense interest in phenological adaptation to environmental change, the fundamental character of natural variation in germination is almost entirely unknown. Specifically, it is not known whether different genotypes within a species are germination specialists to particular conditions, nor is it known what physiological mechanisms of germination regulation vary in natural populations and how they are associated with responses to particular environmental factors.We used a set of recombinant inbred genotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana, in which linkage disequilibrium has been disrupted over seven generations, to test for genetic variation and covariation in germination responses to distinct environmental factors. We then examined physiological mechanisms associated with those responses, including seed-coat permeability and sensitivity to the phytohormones gibberellic acid (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA).Genetic variation for germination was environment-dependent, but no evidence for specialization of germination to different conditions was found. Hormonal sensitivities also exhibited significant genetic variation, but seed-coat properties did not. GA sensitivity was associated with germination responses to multiple environmental factors, but seed-coat permeability and ABA sensitivity were associated with specific germination responses, suggesting that an evolutionary change in GA sensitivity could affect germination in multiple environments, but that of ABA sensitivity may affect germination under more restricted conditions.The physiological mechanisms of germination responses to specific environmental factors therefore can influence the ability to adapt to diverse seasonal environments encountered during colonization of new habitats or with future predicted climate change.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Annals of botany

DOI

EISSN

1095-8290

ISSN

0305-7364

Publication Date

January 2012

Volume

109

Issue

1

Start / End Page

209 / 226

Related Subject Headings

  • Washington
  • Seeds
  • Seasons
  • Plant Growth Regulators
  • Plant Dormancy
  • Plant Biology & Botany
  • Inbreeding
  • Gibberellins
  • Germination
  • Genetic Variation
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Barua, D., Butler, C., Tisdale, T. E., & Donohue, K. (2012). Natural variation in germination responses of Arabidopsis to seasonal cues and their associated physiological mechanisms. Annals of Botany, 109(1), 209–226. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcr264
Barua, Deepak, Colleen Butler, Tracy E. Tisdale, and Kathleen Donohue. “Natural variation in germination responses of Arabidopsis to seasonal cues and their associated physiological mechanisms.Annals of Botany 109, no. 1 (January 2012): 209–26. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcr264.
Barua D, Butler C, Tisdale TE, Donohue K. Natural variation in germination responses of Arabidopsis to seasonal cues and their associated physiological mechanisms. Annals of botany. 2012 Jan;109(1):209–26.
Barua, Deepak, et al. “Natural variation in germination responses of Arabidopsis to seasonal cues and their associated physiological mechanisms.Annals of Botany, vol. 109, no. 1, Jan. 2012, pp. 209–26. Epmc, doi:10.1093/aob/mcr264.
Barua D, Butler C, Tisdale TE, Donohue K. Natural variation in germination responses of Arabidopsis to seasonal cues and their associated physiological mechanisms. Annals of botany. 2012 Jan;109(1):209–226.
Journal cover image

Published In

Annals of botany

DOI

EISSN

1095-8290

ISSN

0305-7364

Publication Date

January 2012

Volume

109

Issue

1

Start / End Page

209 / 226

Related Subject Headings

  • Washington
  • Seeds
  • Seasons
  • Plant Growth Regulators
  • Plant Dormancy
  • Plant Biology & Botany
  • Inbreeding
  • Gibberellins
  • Germination
  • Genetic Variation