Phenotype and
Environment Interaction
Chad Bonstead
Denise Fancher
Julie Kondoff
Matt Luensmann
What is a Genotype?
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“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
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Stunted growth
Leaf drop
Abortion of flowers
Yellowed or mottled foliage
• Factors
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Type and concentration of pollutants
Distance from pollution source
Length of exposure
Weather
• Examples
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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
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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 Corn
Bacillus thuringiensis
•Advantages
– Less Pesticide
– Better Yields
Bt Corn
Bacillus 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
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Genotype and Phenotype Research
http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/ahp/BioInfo/SD.Geno.HP.html
http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/ahp/BioInfo/GP/GeneticTrait.html
http://www.kursus.kv1.dk/shares/vetgen/_Popgen/genetics/1/1/tsld011.htm
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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
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US Average Annual Precipitation Map
http://www.eduplace.com/ss/maps/pdf/usclim.pdf
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Effect of Light on Plant Growth
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http://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
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North America Soil pH Map
http://atlas.sage.wisc.edu/maps/soilph/atl_soilph_nam.jpg
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Soil pH effects page
http://www.esf.edu/pubprog/brochure/soilph.htm
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Lignin Research
http://www.forestry.uga.edu/warnell/research/html/wildlife/lignin.html
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Global Warming
http://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
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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
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Air Pollution
http://www.aces.edu/department/ipm/poldmge.htm
All websites current as of February 27, 2003.