Environmental Factors Affecting the Expression of Bilateral-Symmetrical Traits in Plants

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the problem of asymmetry of bilateral traits in plants. Three types of bilateral asymmetry are found in the leaf blade, of interest to ecologists and evolutionists. A brief review of the methods used in testing bilateral asymmetry and developmental stability discusses their role in the development of homeostasis and ontogenesis. Intra-and interspecific differences are considered on the example of woody plants under the influence of factors influencing the expression of bilaterally symmetry. The influence of stress on the manifestation of asymmetric traits is considered. Apparently, the climate and topography of the area play a more important role, determining the plastic and fluctuating variability. The relationship of plasticity, evolutionary canalization, and development stability is considered on the example of woody and cultivated plants. Plasticity and fluctuation variability are in a relationship coordinated by climatic conditions, primarily lighting and temperature. This, in turn, determines the mechanisms of gene regulatory networks. Thus, phenogenetics, which studies the patterns and mechanisms of gene expression and ontogenesis, is based on the data from field botanical studies of plant shape and asymmetry. Epigenetic and population studies of phenotypic variations play a role in standardizing and finding suitable plant species and varieties.

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“…Therefore, it seems to be important to have a geographical indication tag for the isolated and commercialized Trichoderma strain. This will clearly indicate the geographical location of its origin and its probable area of application wherein the same environment is present so that the Trichoderma strain may express to its fullest potential of biocontrol activity as every genetic system has effect of gene x environment interaction to express its activities [70,71]. Due to this fact only certain crop varieties and cultivars have geographical indication tag [72,73] where these express better for their yield or other beneficial characteristics.…”

About the asymmetry structure of the leaf blade Common plantain

“…The high morphological plasticity of plants is a serious cause interferes bioindication on fluctuating asymmetry index. Developmental stability, which is asessed on the basis of undirected, fluctuational deviation from bilateral symmetry, is considered as a genetic and phenotypic property [1,2,3]. Some researchers believe that fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is associated with plastic variability and adaptation, that is, FA is included in the adaptation arsenal, but does not serve as a measure of stress.…”