Plasticity of leaf form and function in response to temperature in Capsella bursa-pastoris (A05)

A5 (Lenhard) studies the plasticity of leaf form and function to ambient temperature. Leaf traits, such as margin dissection, specific leaf area or stomatal density, are plastic in many species, including the highly successful global weed Capsella bursa-pastoris, and some of this plasticity is likely adaptive. Genes underlying the variation in plasticity of leaf form and function will be identified by quantitative genetics. An artificial selection experiment in the outbreeding species C. grandiflora will test the possibility to modify plasticity by direct selection and reveal the amount of relevant standing genetic variation.

DFG Programme Collaborative Research Centres

Subproject of SFB 1644:  Phenotypic plasticity in plants – Mechanisms, constraints and evolution

Applicant Institution Universität Potsdam

Project Head Professor Dr. Michael Lenhard