Abstract

PALACIO-LOPEZ, KATTIA  and  NELSON, RODRÍGUEZ-LÓPEZ. Phenotypic Plasticity in Lippia alba (Verbenaceae) in Response to Water Availability in Two Light Environments. Acta biol.Colomb. [online]. 2008, vol.13, n.1, pp.187-198. ISSN 0120-548X.

The phenotypic plasticity is one possible way for plants to adjust their morphology and physiology to cope with the environmental heterogeneity of their natural conditions. This study tested the phenotypic plasticity (PF) in response to soil water availability, under two light conditions, in clones of two populations of Lippia alba (Verbanaceae), which show differences in the precipitation heterogeneity, using morphological and biomass allocation reaction norms. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse under semi-controlled conditions in a random experimental design, under a factorial design of two * two (water availability and populations). The majority of the traits showed PF. Although, some traits of the populations that come from more homogenous conditions showed a significant reduction in plasticity. This could suggest a relationship between the wide ecological breadth of Lippia alba, PF and local adaptation events.

Keywords : reaction norms; morphology; biomass allocation; light; water.

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