Phenotypic Plasticity Index as a Strategy for Selecting Water-Stress-Adapted Coffee Genotypes.

The adaptive potential of plants is commonly used as an indicator of genotypes with higher breeding program potential. However, the complexity and interaction of plant metabolic parameters pose a challenge to selection strategies. In this context, this study aimed to explore phenotypic plasticity within the germplasm of Hybrid Timor coffee.

A systemic approach to the quantification of the phenotypic plasticity of plant physiological traits: the multivariate plasticity index.

The phenotype of an individual emerges from the interaction of its genotype with the environment in which it is located. Phenotypic plasticity (PP) is the ability of a specific genotype to present multiple phenotypes in response to the environment. Past and current methods for quantification of PP present limitations, mainly in what constitutes a systemic analysis of multiple traits.

Stability of wheat grain yields over three field seasons in the UK.

Ensuring food security in a changing climate is a major contemporary challenge and requires development of climate-resilient crops that perform well under variable environments. The hypothesis that yield stability in suboptimal conditions is linked to yield penalties in optimal conditions was investigated in field-grown wheat in the UK. The phenotypic responses, rate of wheat crop development, and final grain yield to varying sowing date, rainfall, air temperature, and radiation patterns were studied for a panel of 61 elite commercial wheat cultivars grown in the UK in 2012, 2013, and 2014.