Reaction norms of life history traits in response to zinc in Thlaspi caerulescens from metalliferous and nonmetalliferous sites.
* We examined phenotypic plasticity of fitness components in response to zinc (Zn) in the Zn hyperaccumulator, Thlaspi caerulescens. * Two populations from Zn-enriched soils (M) and two populations from normal soils (NM) were grown in pots at three Zn concentrations (0, 1000 and 8000 mg kg(-1) Zn), for an entire life cycle. Growth, Zn accumulation and fitness components were assessed. * Based on vegetative growth, M and NM populations had similar Zn tolerance at 1000 mg kg(-1) Zn. However, reproductive output was markedly decreased in NM at 1000 and 8000 mg kg(-1) Zn. In M populations, Zn did not affect fitness. However, low Zn status enhanced reproductive output in year 1 compared with year 2 and decreased survival after the first flowering season. * M populations are able to achieve equal fitness across a broad range of Zn concentrations in soil by different combinations of fecundity and longevity. No cost of higher tolerance was demonstrated in M populations. Reproductive traits appeared to be a more sensitive indicator of tolerance than vegetative growth.
Dechamps
Caroline
C
Université Libre de Bruxelles, Laboratoire de Génétique et Ecologie Végétales (Jardin Massart), Chaussée de Wavre 1850, 1160 Brussels, Belgium. cdechamp@ulb.ac.be
Lefèbvre
Claude
C
Noret
Nausicaa
N
Meerts
Pierre
P
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031227:Thlaspi / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D015032:Zinc