Physiological trait networks enhance understanding of crop growth and water use in contrasting environments - INRAE - Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement
Journal Articles Plant, Cell and Environment Year : 2022

Physiological trait networks enhance understanding of crop growth and water use in contrasting environments

Sean Gleason
Jon Altenhofen
  • Function : Author
Sylvain Delzon
Carlos Messina
Jared Stewart
Ian Wright
  • Function : Author

Abstract

Plant function arises from a complex network of structural and physiological traits. Explicit representation of these traits, as well as their connections with other biophysical processes, is required to advance our understanding of plant-soil-climate interactions. We used the Terrestrial Regional Ecosystem Exchange Simulator (TREES) to evaluate physiological trait networks in maize. Net primary productivity (NPP) and grain yield were simulated across five contrasting climate scenarios. Simulations achieving high NPP and grain yield in high precipitation environments featured trait networks conferring high water use strategies: deep roots, high stomatal conductance at low water potential ("risky" stomatal regulation), high xylem hydraulic conductivity and high maximal leaf area index. In contrast, high NPP and grain yield was achieved in dry environments with low late-season precipitation via water conserving trait networks: deep roots, high embolism resistance and low stomatal conductance at low leaf water potential ("conservative" stomatal regulation). We suggest that our approach, which allows for the simultaneous evaluation of physiological traits, soil characteristics and their interactions (i.e., networks), has potential to improve our understanding of crop performance in different environments. In contrast, evaluating single traits in isolation of other coordinated traits does not appear to be an effective strategy for predicting plant performance.

Dates and versions

hal-04163343 , version 1 (17-07-2023)

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Cite

Sean Gleason, Dave Barnard, Timothy Green, Scott Mackay, Diane Wang, et al.. Physiological trait networks enhance understanding of crop growth and water use in contrasting environments. Plant, Cell and Environment, 2022, 45 (9), pp.2554-2572. ⟨10.1111/pce.14382⟩. ⟨hal-04163343⟩
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