Data from: Strategies of Phytophtora infestans adaptation to local UV radiation conditions

Expected global changes in environmental conditions underline the need for
a better understanding of genetic variation in ecological traits and their
strategies of adaptation to the stresses. In this study, evolutionary
mechanisms and processes of UV adaptation in plant pathogens were
investigated by combining statistical genetics, physiological assays and
common garden experiment approaches in an assessment of the potato late
blight pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, sampled from various geographic
locations in China. We found spatial divergence caused by diversifying
selection in UV tolerance among P. infestans populations. Local UV
radiation was the driving force of selection as indicated by a positive
correlation between UV tolerance in P. infestans populations and the
altitude of collection sites. Plasticity accounted for 68% of population
variation while heritability was negligible, suggesting temporary changes
in gene expression and/or enzymatic activity plays a more important role
than permanent modification of gene structure in the evolution of UV
adaptation. This adaptation strategy may explain the lack of fitness
penalty observed in genotypes with higher UV tolerance.