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Data from: A reaction norm for flowering time plasticity reveals physiological footprints of maize adaptation

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Jul 15, 2024 version files 737.28 KB
Nov 27, 2024 version files 840.30 KB

Abstract

Understanding how plant phenotypes are shaped by their environments is crucial for addressing questions about crop adaptation to new environments. This study focused on analyzing the genetic variability underlying genotype-by-environment interactions and adaptation for flowering time in maize. We developed the use of a physiological reaction norm for flowering time plasticity (PRN-FTP) modeled from multi-environment trial networks, with genotype-specific parameters putatively linked to different regulatory modules for flowering time. We show how genotype-specific differences in developmental responses to temperature fluctuations condition differences in photoperiod perceived among genotypes. This occurs not only across but also within common environments, as the perception of photoperiod is altered by variation in rates of development and durations for becoming sensitized to photoperiod. Using a new metric for envirotyping sensed photoperiods for maize, it was found that, at high latitudes, different genotypes in the same environment can experience up to hours-long differences in photoperiod. This emphasizes the importance of considering genotype-specific differences in the experienced environment when investigating plasticity. Modeling the PRN-FTP for global breeding material of maize showed that tropical and temperate germplasm occupy distinct territories of the trait space for PRN-FTP parameters, supporting that the geographical spread and adaptation of maize was differentially mediated by distinct pathways for flowering time regulation. Our results have implications for understanding crop adaptation and for future crop improvement efforts.