Morphological integration, canalization, and plasticity in response to emergence time in Abutilon theophrasti

The relationships between trait plasticity and canalization, and between phenotypic integration and plasticity, have been under debate, largely because direct evidence is still scarce for their associations, especially in response to environments. To investigate the relationships between canalization, integration, and phenotypic plasticity in response to emergence time, we conducted a field experiment with an annual herbaceous species of Abutilon theophrasti, by subjecting plants to four treatments of emergence time (spring, late spring, summer, and late summer), to measure several morphological traits and analyze correlations of plasticity with canalization and integration in these traits, at two stages of plant growth. Results showed plants with delayed emergence had higher phenotypic integration and more positive correlations between integration and plasticity, but less negative correlations between decreased canalization and plasticity, compared to those that emerged in spring. Resu..., Experimental design
We conducted the field experiment in 2007 at the Pasture Ecological Research Station of Northeast Normal University, Changling, Jilin Province, China (44°45’ N, 123°45’ E). The original soil of the experimental field (aeolian sandy soil, pH = 8.3) at the station had been used annually for many years, with nutrients availability of organic C 3.1 mg kg–1, available N 21.0 mg kg–1, and available P 1.1 mg kg–1 during the growth season of 2007. Seeds of A. theophrasti were collected from local wild populations near the research station in late August 2006 and dry stored at -4°C. We applied a randomized block design, with emergence timing (ET) as the main factor, and block as the sub-factor. The whole plot was divided into twelve 2 × 3 m sub-plots, which were randomly assigned with four ET treatments and three blocks. Plants of A. theophrasti were grown on June 7, June 27, July 17, and August 7, to make them emerge in different periods of the season, as four ET treatments ..., , # Morphological integration, canalization, and plasticity in response to emergence time in *Abutilon theophrasti*

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.ncjsxksx1](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.ncjsxksx1)

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