Light Intensity and Phenotypic Response in Vicia faba L.

Document Type : Original Article

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Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, New Damietta 34517, Egypt

Abstract

The impacts of different light intensities on the phenotypic plasticity of several plant features in two Vicia faba varieties (Sakha1 and Giza Blanca) were explored for the genotype-environment interaction of specific traits. Plants from both genotypes were grown for 28 days in four distinct light conditions: 550 mol m-2s-1, 850 mol m-2s-1, 1200 mol m-2s-1, and 1800 mol m-2s-1, then after, various measurements were conducted. For variables measured including leaf width, shoot fresh and dry weight, and root fresh and dry weight, both genotypes showed comparable plasticity responses, showing no genotype-environment interaction for these traits. However, Sakha1 outperformed Giza Blanca in terms of leaf count, stomatal density of the abaxial surface, and root/shoot ratio as light intensity increased. The plasticity of a particular leaf area implied morphogenetic regulation for both genotypes and showed that leaves tended to expand their leaf area in low light conditions in order to capture more light. In contrast, these plants developed significantly thicker leaves when exposed to high light intensities.

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