DNA methylation and phenotypic data from: Environmentally induced phenotypic plasticity and DNA methylation changes in a wild potato growing in two contrasting Andean experimental gardens

DNA methylation can be environmentally modulated and play a role in
phenotypic plasticity. To understand the role of environmentally induced
epigenetic variation and its dynamics in natural populations and
ecosystems, it is relevant to place studies in a real-world context. Our
experimental model is the wild potato Solanum kurtzianum, a close relative
of the cultivated potato S. tuberosum. It was evaluated in its natural
habitat, an arid Andean region in Argentina characterised by spatial and
temporal environmental fluctuations. The dynamics of phenotypic and
epigenetic variability (with Methyl Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism
markers, MSAP) was assayed in three genotypes across three growing
seasons. These genotypes were cultivated permanently and also reciprocally
transplanted between experimental gardens (EG) differing in ca. 1000 m of
altitude. In two seasons, the genotypes presented differential methylation
patterns associated to the EG. In the reciprocal transplants, a rapid
epigenomic remodelling occurred according to the growing season.
Phenotypic plasticity, both spatial (between EGs within season) and
temporal (between seasons), was detected. The epigenetic and phenotypic
variability were positively correlated. The lack of an evident mitotic
epigenetic memory would be a common response to short-term environmental
fluctuations. Thus, the environmentally induced phenotypic and epigenetic
variation could contribute to populations persistence through time. These
results have implications for understanding the great ecological diversity
of wild potatoes.