Changes in leaf economic trait relationships across a precipitation gradient are related to differential gene expression in a C 4 perennial grass

Heckman, Robert W.; Aspinwall, Michael J.; Taylor, Samuel H.; Lowry, David B.; Khasanova, Albina; Bonnette, Jason E.; Razzaque, Samsad; Fay, Philip A.; Juenger, Thomas E.

doi:10.1111/nph.70089

Changes in leaf economic trait relationships across a precipitation gradient are related to differential gene expression in a C ₄ perennial grass

Journal Article · Fri Mar 28 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · New Phytologist

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70089· OSTI ID:2543135

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Department of Integrative Biology University of Texas at Austin Austin TX 78712 USA
Department of Integrative Biology University of Texas at Austin Austin TX 78712 USA, Formation Environmental LLC Sacramento CA 95816 USA
Department of Integrative Biology University of Texas at Austin Austin TX 78712 USA, Lancaster Environmental Centre Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YQ UK
Department of Integrative Biology University of Texas at Austin Austin TX 78712 USA, Department of Plant Biology Michigan State University East Lansing MI 48824 USA
Department of Integrative Biology University of Texas at Austin Austin TX 78712 USA, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory Salk Institute for Biological Studies La Jolla CA 92037 USA
U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, Grassland Soil and Water Research Lab Temple TX 76502 USA

Summary

The leaf economics spectrum (LES) describes a suite of functional traits that consistently covary at large spatial and taxonomic scales. Despite its importance at these larger scales, few studies have examined the major drivers of intraspecific variation in the LES – phenotypic plasticity and standing genetic variation.

Using experimental precipitation manipulations, we examined whether covariation among leaf economics traits and selection on leaf economics traits and trait combinations change as diverse genotypes of the widespread perennial grass Panicum virgatum are exposed to differences in precipitation. We also used RNA‐Seq to examine whether groups of co‐expressed genes that align with leaf economics traits function in processes hypothesized to underlie the LES.

Water availability impacted leaf economics trait covariation in important ways – covariation between leaf economics traits and selection on covariation between traits (i.e. correlational selection) tended to be strongest when water availability was high. Additionally, many genes associated with leaf economics traits functioned in processes that may explain how the LES originates, such as chloroplasts, cell walls, and nitrogen metabolism.

Water availability is likely an important modulator of selection and evolution of the LES in P. virgatum that can be better understood by examining gene expression.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0014156

OSTI ID:: 2543135

Journal Information:: New Phytologist, Journal Name: New Phytologist Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 246; ISSN 0028-646X

Publisher:: Wiley-BlackwellCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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Changes in leaf economic trait relationships across a precipitation gradient are related to differential gene expression in a C ₄ perennial grass