Author

Pallavi Vyas and S.K. Mehar*

Abstract

Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of a genotype to respond differently under different environmental conditions. As a result, diverse phenotypes could be produced from a single genotype. In response to the prevailing environmental conditions, phenotypic plasticity in the root architectural traits of a plant helps in efficient foraging of resources by making adaptive adjustments in the root system architecture. In the present study, fourteen root architectural traits were evaluated to assess how spatial constraints and differential nutrient availability on the seedlings of Vigna radiata affect their root foraging strategies during initial growth stage. We hypothesized that in response to spatial constraints and differential nutrient availability Vigna radiata seedlings in their early growth stage make adaptive architectural adjustments in their root traits by employing phenotypic plasticity for optimal foraging of nutrients. Out of the fourteen root architectural traits investigated in the present experiment, phenotypic plasticity index value for twelve traits were observed to be greater than 0.5 suggesting that Vigna radiata seedlings are capable of sensing even the slightest changes in their surrounding environment and appropriately responds to them by altering their root system architecture. We found statistically significant variations in ten traits; suggesting that rather than following a fixed developmental path like an automaton, Vigna radiata seedlings actively sense and respond to these environmental constraints by modifying their architectural traits to optimize the chances of survival and growth.

Pages: 340-347

Doi Number 10.61289/jibs2026.06.05.0485

Keywords Foraging strategies, nutrient availability, phenotypic plasticity, root system architecture, spatial constraints