植物表型可塑性研究进展

表型可塑性已成为生态进化发育生物学的核心概念,很大程度上由于植物可塑性研究的主要贡献,但人们仍远未完全了解表型可塑性的原因和结果。从整体角度理出表型可塑性研究发展的基本脉络,介绍研究内容、途径和简史,聚焦于几个主要方面的研究进展及发展方向。现代可塑性研究的兴盛始于关于可塑性的进化学重要性的一篇综述,从现象的描述、对其遗传基础和可塑性本身进化的讨论,发展到探索其背后的发育机制、植物生长与适应策略、生态学影响等。未来可塑性研究应在重新理解和评价表型可塑性及其适应性的基础上,更关注自然条件下环境因子和可塑响应的复杂性。表型可塑性的生态-进化学意义仍将是未来研究的重点。

Research on phenotypic plasticity in plants: an overview of history, current status, and development trends

Phenotypic plasticity has become a core concept in ecological evolutionary developmental biology ("eco-evo-devo"). This is due, to a large extent, to the major contribution of plant plasticity studies. However, the causes and consequences of phenotypic plasticity remain poorly understood. Herein, we summarize the development of research on phenotypic plasticity from an integrated perspective, including research contents and approach and brief history, with a focus on research progress and future directions. Modern plasticity research is laid on the foundations of studies that delineated the evolutionary significance of plasticity in plants. We describe the phenomenon of plant plasticity and discuss its genetic basis and evolution before exploring the underlying developmental mechanisms, associated growth and adaptation strategies, and ecological consequences. Future plasticity studies should be based on understanding and evaluating phenotypic plasticity and its adaptability from a new perspective, and closer attention should be paid to the complex network of environmental factors and plastic responses that operate under natural conditions. We conclude that understanding the eco-evolutionary implications of phenotypic plasticity should remain the emphasis of future research.