Abstract: The Sultan lab studies phenotypic plasticity and its transgenerational effects in the generalist, annual plant Polygonum persicaria. Phenotypic plasticity describes the ability of a single genotype to produce multiple phenotypes (physical traits) in different environments. The plasticity we study allows plants to integrate information from their current and previous (parental and grandparental) environments in a way that influences their own growth. In the summer of 2021, the Sultan lab grew 10 different genotypes of the annual plant Polygonum persicaria, asking how the grandparental and parental environment (sun versus shade) of a plant affect phenotypic offspring growth grown in these same contrasting environments. Work in 2020 showed that P. persicaria alter their development depending on the light conditions experienced by their parents, and this summer’s experiment aims to build on this research by adding a third generation (grandparent) of environmental manipulation. Our poster presents a preliminary interpretation of the influence of the grandparent, parent, and current environments on growth and development, suggesting that different genotypes integrate information from these three generations in unique and different ways.
Video:
Live Poster Session:
Thursday, July 29th 1:15-2:30pm EDT