Abstract
To enhance phenotypic plasticity, it is vital to maximize the genetic growth potential of trees and understand their adaptive responses to environmental conditions. Tree species adapt to dynamic environmental conditions by leveraging the interactions among the environment, genotype, and genotype-by-environment. A total of 25 improved varieties of Chinese fir were transplanted and developed through multi-generational breeding into four types of artificial forest soils. Through a quantitative analysis of genotypic, soil environmental conditions, and genotype-by-environment interaction effects on variations in growth, biomass, and root functional traits, the key drivers of phenotypic plasticity were identified. The results indicate that soil environmental conditions and genotype-by-environment interactions are the primary factors influencing trait variation, explaining 55.89% to 93.94% of the observed variation, while the family effect is relatively minor. Notably, pronounced phenotypic plasticity drives divergent selection in both aboveground and belowground growth strategies. Critical traits influencing root dry weight include root average diameter, total root volume, and root-to-shoot ratio. Although root dry weight does not directly affect plant height, it has a substantial impact on aboveground dry weight. These findings highlight that the changes in the aboveground and belowground growth strategies of Chinese fir during the seedling stage are closely linked to the plasticity of root functional traits. For multi-generational genetically improved varieties, this study examined how the integration of genetic effects, soil environmental conditions, and genotype-by-environment interactions in the selection of aboveground growth and root functional traits influences the mechanisms driving biomass accumulation. The results provide actionable insights for selecting soil-specific families in subtropical plantations.
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Claims 7
Claim · model-written summary
Soil conditions and genotype-by-environment interactions explained most trait variation in Chinese fir.
- Taxon
- Chinese firt0
- Outcome
- trait variatione0
- Value
- 55.89% to 93.94%e0
- Setting
- soil environmental conditionse0
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“soil environmental conditions and genotype-by-environment interactions are the primary factors influencing trait variation, explaining 55.89% to 93.94% of the observed variation”
t0“Chinese fir”
Claim · model-written summary
Family effect on Chinese fir trait variation was relatively minor.
Verbatim
e0“while the family effect is relatively minor”
e1“trait variation”
t0“Chinese fir”
Claim · model-written summary
Phenotypic plasticity drove divergent aboveground and belowground growth strategies.
Verbatim
e0“pronounced phenotypic plasticity drives divergent selection in both aboveground and belowground growth strategies”
t0“Chinese fir”
Claim · model-written summary
Root average diameter, total root volume and root-to-shoot ratio influenced root dry weight.
- Taxon
- Chinese firt0
- Organ / stage
- roote0
- Outcome
- root dry weighte0
- Qualifier
- root average diameter, total root volume, and root-to-shoot ratioe0
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“Critical traits influencing root dry weight include root average diameter, total root volume, and root-to-shoot ratio.”
t0“Chinese fir”
Claim · model-written summary
Root dry weight did not directly affect plant height.
Verbatim
e0“root dry weight does not directly affect plant height”
t0“Chinese fir”
Claim · model-written summary
Root dry weight substantially affected aboveground dry weight.
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“it has a substantial impact on aboveground dry weight”
e1“root dry weight does not directly affect plant height”
t0“Chinese fir”
Claim · model-written summary
Aboveground and belowground growth strategy changes were closely linked to root trait plasticity during the seedling stage.
- Taxon
- Chinese fire0
- Organ / stage
- seedling stagee0
- Outcome
- changes in the aboveground and belowground growth strategiese0
- Qualifier
- plasticity of root functional traitse0
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“the changes in the aboveground and belowground growth strategies of Chinese fir during the seedling stage are closely linked to the plasticity of root functional traits”