Post on 18-Dec-2015
Phenotype and Environment Interaction
Chad Bonstead
Denise Fancher
Julie Kondoff
Matt Luensmann
What is a Genotype?
• “internally coded, inheritable information”
• Coded language, “blueprint”
• Cannot be observed
• Codes for protein synthesis
Phenotype is…
•“outward physical manifestation”
•Physical parts
•Anything that is part of the observable structure, function, or behavior
Genotype Codes For Phenotype
• The genotype holds the instructions that are interpreted to depict the phenotype.
• Controls formation of macromolecules, and the regulation of metabolism and synthesis
• Sum of atoms, molecules, macromolecules, cells, structure, metabolism, energy utilization, tissues, organs, reflexes, and behavior
Environmental Factors
• Climate– Temperature– Sunlight– Precipitation
• Air Pollution
• Soil
Temperature
Plant growth is vitally dependent on temperature.
Precipitation
Plant growth is dependent on water.
Sunlight
• Light Intensity
• Quality of Light
• Light Duration
Air Pollution• Symptoms
– Stunted growth– Leaf drop– Abortion of flowers– Yellowed or mottled foliage
• Factors– Type and concentration of pollutants– Distance from pollution source– Length of exposure– Weather
• Examples– Ozone– Peroxyacetyl Nitrate– Ethylene– Sulfur Dioxide– Fluorides– Chlorine
Soil
• Plants need 16 essential nutrients, 13 of which are found in the soil.• Soil texture
– Sand– Silt– Clay
• Soil pH
Soil pH and Plant Phenotype
• What determines a soil’s pH?• Examples of the pH scale:
< 4.5 = extremely acidic (lemon)
4.5 - 5.0 = very strongly acidic (tomato)
5.1 - 5.5 = strongly acidic (carrot)
5.6 - 6.0 = moderately acidic (potato)
6.1 - 6.5 = slightly acidic (milk)
6.6 - 7.3 = neutral (saliva)
7.4 - 7.8 = slightly alkaline (eggs)
7.9 - 8.4 = moderately alkaline (sea water)
8.5 - 9.0 = strongly alkaline (borax)
9.1+ = very strongly alkaline (ammonia)
Effects of Soil pH on Plants
• Solubility of minerals and nutrients, especially aluminum.• Most nutrients are more soluble in acidic soils.• Special case: Phosphorous• The presence and availability of these minerals determines several plant characteristics.
Hydrangeas
• Aluminum in acidic soil causes Hydrangeas to bloom dark blue.
• Neutral soils produce white blooms on Hydrangeas
• Alkaline soil produces pink flowers on Hydrangea plants.
Why Adjust Soil pH?
• A pH range from about 6 to 7 is ideal for most plants.
• Some plants, like conifers and potatoes, are especially adapted to acidic soils.
• Highly alkaline soils cut iron supply to plants, especially Oaks. (chlorosis)
How to adjust soil pH
• Test soil pH using a sample test kit.
The Future
What’s Being Done and
Where Do We Go From Here?
Lignin Research
• “Glue” providing structural support• Goal to produce specialize plants and
trees for forestry and agriculture• Directly connected with the enzyme
laccase• Research is in developmental stages
– Risk vs. Reward– Possible Advancements
Global Warming
• Consequence of human activity• Bleak and threatening outlook for plant
and animal life• Possible remedies/solutions
– Limit energy usage– Air Pollution– Waste and Recycling– Stay informed
Bioengineered Crops
• Farm level adoption of GE crops
• Future Applications– Benefits and Risks– Public Perception– Examples include herbicide-tolerant corn
and soybeans, Bt cotton and corn
Bt CornBacillus thuringiensis
•Advantages– Less Pesticide– Better Yields
Bt CornBacillus thuringiensis
•Disadvantages– Resistance– Public View
Summary
• New research techniques
• Threat of Global Warming
• Impact of biotechnology
• Where do we come in?– Stay informed– Seek current, accurate information
Sources• Genotype and Phenotype Research
http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/ahp/BioInfo/SD.Geno.HP.htmlhttp://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/ahp/BioInfo/GP/GeneticTrait.htmlhttp://www.kursus.kv1.dk/shares/vetgen/_Popgen/genetics/1/1/tsld011.htm
• Brickell, Christopher and Elvin McDonald. The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening, DK Publishing, Inc., 1993.
• Novak, Joe. Garden Science: Lecture Supplement for HORT 301 Horticultural Techniques, Texas A&M University, 2003.
• Preece, John E. and Paul E. Reed. The Biology of Horticulture: An Introductory Textbook, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1993.
• USDA Hardiness Zone Map http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html
• US Average Annual Precipitation Map http://www.eduplace.com/ss/maps/pdf/usclim.pdf
• Effect of Light on Plant Growthhttp://www.biology-online.org/3/9_effect_light.htm
• Blue Hydrangea Photo http://www.conweb.com/hydrangea/• White Hydrangea Photo http://greenwoodnursery.com/page.cfm/1281• Pink Hydrangea Photo http://www.pottedliners.com/article.htm
More Sources• North America Soil pH Map
http://atlas.sage.wisc.edu/maps/soilph/atl_soilph_nam.jpg
• Soil pH effects pagehttp://www.esf.edu/pubprog/brochure/soilph.htm
• Lignin Researchhttp://www.forestry.uga.edu/warnell/research/html/wildlife/lignin.html
• Global Warminghttp://weathersavvy.com/GlobalWarming5.html
http://nvnv.essortmen.com/globalwarmingp_rgby.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/news/science/climate/2002-06-03-epa-report.htm
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/renewable_energy/page.cfm?pageID=91• Bioengineering and Bt Corn
http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aer810/aer810b.pdf
http://entomology.ucdavis.edu/courses/ent110/docs/Weighing_BTcorn.pdf
http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/agcomm/magazine/summer00/assess.htm
http://reason.com/bi/bi-gmf.shtml
• Air Pollutionhttp://www.aces.edu/department/ipm/poldmge.htm
All websites current as of February 27, 2003.