New Model Reveals How Climate and Genetics Impact How Plants Grow

Scientists are taking a closer look at how plants react to environmental and genetic factors. They've created a model that considers how different stages of a planet's life cycle interact with one another, which could tell scientists how plants will react to changing climate conditions.

Most research is focused on how plant processes function independently. For example, studies examined the seed, vegetative and reproductive phases individually. Now, though, scientists are looking at how these processes function together.

In this case, the scientists discovered that when environmental factors alter the timing of one stage of a plant's life cycle, the duration of subsequent stages also adjusts. As climate change affects growing season lengths worldwide, it's crucial to understand the factors that influence life stages as a whole.

"Germination traits really had a larger effect than flowering traits on what life cycle is observed and whether you see multiple generations in a year," said Liana Burghardt, one of the researchers, in a news release. "Multiple generations could be very advantageous in some environments because you could get in more reproductive phases."

Essentially, a plant adjusts its life cycle similarly to how an employee manages her workday. One task needs to be completed before another begins, and the time spent on a single item will affect all following tasks. Just as an employee attempts to finish all tasks within the workday, a plant will also evolve to maintain a year-long life cycle despite changes in the environment.

"The next big step is to incorporate survival and offspring production in the model," said Burghardt. "Right now we're just modeling when plants are going to be doing what, but the ultimate question is how those predicted life cycles relate to fitness. IF a seed germinates at the wrong time of year, and the environment gets really dry then it could die without reproducing."

The new model could have meaningful implications for understanding plant life cycles. Eventually, it could be used to improve crop yields, and could be used for conservation efforts as the climate continues to change.

The findings are published in the journal The American Naturalist.

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