Abstract:

Phenotypic plasticity is an adaptive capacity expressed by plants as a result of interaction with environment to which plants responded either positively or negatively. The plasticity may be inherited and evolved as genetic traits. The premises of the adaptive evolution is genetic variation and natural selection，which is restricted by plastic costs and limits. However，the mechanism of the restrictions may be clear，and the restrictions may be eliminated by advanced biological means. Moreover，plant plasticity is influenced by abiotic factors，such as light，nutrient，water and temperature. Especially under the influence of global changes，it is noteworthy whether the plant phenotypic plasticity can reflect such changes. Meanwhile，study of phenotypic plasticity in our country should be further enhanced in future，especially assessment in plasticity in the great scale. 

Key words: phenotypic plasticity, plant traits, abiotic factors