About the asymmetry structure of the leaf blade Common plantain

Abstract

Using the method of geometric morphometrics the contour of the image of the leaf blade of the Common plantain (Plantago major) was aligned along the axis of symmetry to answer the question of whether the asymmetry and shape were influenced by environmental pollution by vehicles and climatic conditions. Procrustes distances showed that fluctuating asymmetry was higher in roadside populations in 2019. In the control populations, a mixture of two types of asymmetry, fluctuating and directional, was obtained. In 2020 with high precipitation (47% more than in 2019), asymmetry was represented by higher directional asymmetry (p <0.0001), although the overall asymmetry remained the same. The nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test showed the influence on the shape only climatic environments of the year (p <0.001). The geographical location of the populations and the combined effect of the factors year and the place of leaves gathering did not affect the shape of the leaf blade. In 2020, no data were obtained on the excess of asymmetry in roadside populations compared to the control, therefore authors conclude about the weak bioindicative properties of the Common plantain in response to traffic pollution.