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.

Soil Regions of North America

•

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.