9527551 PIGLIUCCI We propose to experimentally determine how plant morphology changes in response to variation in light availability in the model plant system, Arabidopsis thaliana. Light availability will be varied by manipulating plant density of genetically homogenous lines of Arabidopsis. We will determine whether morphological changes in response to low light increase the probability of a plant surviving and producing offspring under such conditions. We will also investigate the response of several mutants of A. thaliana to different light conditions to determine which genes are responsible for this morphological change. This research will provide a better understanding of the effect of stress on plant evolution, and it has implications for breeding crops that perform well in crowded conditions.
