Evolution in stressful environments II: adaptive value and costs of plasticity in response to low light in Sinapis arvensis

Abstract

genetic variation; life-history; phenotypic plasticity; plasticity cost; selection; specific leaf area; stress. Plants possess a remarkable capacity to alter their phenotype in response to the highly heterogeneous light conditions they commonly encounter in natural environments. In the present study with the weedy annual plant Sinapis arvensis, we (a) tested for the adaptive value of phenotypic plasticity in morphological and life history traits in response to low light and (b) explored possible fitness costs of plasticity. Replicates of 31 half-sib families were grown individually in the greenhouse under full light and under low light (40 % o