Ecophysiology Of Crops Research Articles

Early human selection of crops' wild progenitors explains the acquisitive physiology of modern cultivars.

Crops have resource-acquisitive leaf traits, which are usually attributed to the process of domestication. However, early choices of wild plants amenable for domestication may also have played a key role in the evolution of crops' physiological traits. Here we compiled data on 1,034 annual herbs to place the ecophysiological traits of 69 crops' wild progenitors in the context of global botanical variation, and we conducted a common-garden experiment to measure the effects of domestication on crop ecophysiology. Our study found that crops' wild progenitors already had high leaf nitrogen, photosynthesis, conductance and transpiration and soft leaves. After domestication, ecophysiological traits varied little and in idiosyncratic ways. Crops did not surpass the trait boundaries of wild species. Overall, the resource-acquisitive strategy of crops is largely due to the inheritance from their wild progenitors rather than to further breeding improvements. Our study concurs with recent literature highlighting constraints of crop breeding for faster ecophysiological traits.

Multi-criteria assessment of cropping systems for the sustainable intensification in the Pampas

CONTEXTThe transformation of cropping systems towards sustainable intensification (SI) is essential in order to meet the demands of society. In the Pampas region of Argentina, most agricultural research has focused on crop ecophysiology and agronomic factors, although what seems to be lacking is an integrated evaluation of cropping systems to determine their alignment with SI trends. Multi-criteria analysis (MCDA) methods provide a formal framework to assess trade-offs between production and sustainability, rendering them useful for SI analysis. OBJECTIVEThis paper aims to compare and rank the cropping systems available in the rolling Pampas, the corn belt of Argentina, based on their alignment with SI trajectories, using the multi-criteria decision model “Preference Ranking Organization Methods for Enrichment Evaluations” (PROMETHEE). METHODSWe used information from a mid-term experiment conducted in Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina, to compare ten cropping systems over five consecutive years. These systems resulted from combining three crop sequences with either fallow or cover crops during the winter, and were grown using two different management practices. Sixteen economic, socioeconomic, and environmental criteria were defined to assess each of the cropping systems. We combined PROMETHEE with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to compare the cropping systems. We considered two different decision-making profiles: one obtained through interviews with farmers, and the other based on interviews with agents involved in sustainable production systems at the Ministry of Agriculture of Argentina. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSWe ranked the cropping systems assessed according to how well they aligned with SI, the system that combines improving profits with reduced environmental impact. We found that the three-year rotation sequence of wheat/soybean-corn-soybean is the most aligned to the sustainable intensification option among the feasible crop sequences implemented in the rolling Pampas region. Furthermore, our results indicate that cover crops provide environmental benefits, but the associated costs discourage their implementation when the farmer profile focuses on maximizing economic benefits. SIGNIFICANCEWe emphasize the importance of integrally analyzing cropping systems. Our findings confirm the advantages noted in prior studies and provide a more thorough evaluation of wheat/soybean-corn-soybean three-year sequence. Finally, our work demonstrates the value of PROMETHEE multi-criteria analysis in assessing the SI of cropping systems. This tool could be a useful aid in facilitating discussions among farmers, consultants and other stakeholders, in the search for sustainable intensification pathways.

Phosphorus Dynamics in the Soil–Plant–Environment Relationship in Cropping Systems: A Review

This work performs a review of the relevant aspects of agronomic dynamics of phosphorus (P) in the soil–plant relationship as a community (crop ecophysiology), the effect of environmental conditions and global warming on the redistribution and translocation of P in some crop, and the use of good agricultural practices with the aim of improving the efficiency of the element. The research focuses on Northern Europe, North-Eastern Asia, Oceania, North America, and the tropical area of Latin America. This review covers general research and specific works on P found in the literature, 70% of which date from the last 10 years, as well as some older studies that have been of great relevance as references and starting points for more recent investigations. The dynamics of P in a system implies taking into account genetic aspects of the plant, component of the soil–plant–fertilizer–environment relationship, and use of technologies at the molecular level. In addition, in a climate change scenario, the availability of this element can significantly change depending on whether it is labile or non-labile.

Functional phenomics and genetics of the root economics space in winter wheat using high-throughput phenotyping of respiration and architecture.

Summary The root economics space is a useful framework for plant ecology but is rarely considered for crop ecophysiology. In order to understand root trait integration in winter wheat, we combined functional phenomics with trait economic theory, utilizing genetic variation, high‐throughput phenotyping, and multivariate analyses.We phenotyped a diversity panel of 276 genotypes for root respiration and architectural traits using a novel high‐throughput method for CO2 flux and the open‐source software rhizovision explorer to analyze scanned images.We uncovered substantial variation in specific root respiration (SRR) and specific root length (SRL), which were primary indicators of root metabolic and structural costs. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that lateral root tips had the greatest SRR, and the residuals from this model were used as a new trait. Specific root respiration was negatively correlated with plant mass. Network analysis, using a Gaussian graphical model, identified root weight, SRL, diameter, and SRR as hub traits. Univariate and multivariate genetic analyses identified genetic regions associated with SRR, SRL, and root branching frequency, and proposed gene candidates.Combining functional phenomics and root economics is a promising approach to improving our understanding of crop ecophysiology. We identified root traits and genomic regions that could be harnessed to breed more efficient crops for sustainable agroecosystems.

The Hidden Costs of Nighttime Warming on Yields.

Nighttime warming poses a threat to global food security as it is driving yield declines worldwide, but our understanding of the physiological basis of this phenomenon remains very limited. Furthermore, it is often assumed that such declines are driven solely by increases in nighttime temperature (TNight). Here we argue that, in addition to temperature, increases in nighttime evaporative demand may 'conspire' to penalize yields and end-use quality traits. We propose an ecophysiological framework outlining the possible mechanistic basis of such declines in yield and quality. We suggest ways to use the proposed framework as a guide to future efforts aimed at alleviating productivity losses by integrating crop ecophysiology with modeling, breeding, and management.

Response of Greenhouse Crop Ecophysiology, Water Consumption and Yield to Ventilation Environment Regulation

Under the condition of greenhouse cultivation, the influence of environmental regulation on crop physiological and ecological indexes, water consumption process and yield cannot be neglected. Studying the changes of each index under different opening time and state of ventilation can further improve the theory of greenhouse environmental regulation and control and realize the rational utilization of water resources. Three ventilation modes were set up for drip irrigation tomato in sunlight greenhouse in North China. They were opening North window and top window (T1), opening North window, south window and top window (T2) and opening North window and south window (T3). The effects of different ventilation modes on greenhouse environment, physiological ecology, water consumption and yield of tomato were analyzed. The results showed that: (1) The fluctuation of water surface evaporation under different ventilation modes was consistent during the whole growth period, but the cumulative evaporation was T2 > T1 > T3. The ventilation mode of T2 treatment was beneficial to alleviate indoor high temperature hazards, which was 3–4% and 3–5% lower than the average temperature of T1 and T3, but the higher temperature of T1 treatment was beneficial to the early fruit formation. (3) T2 had the highest yield, 147.15 t/hm2, 11.71% higher than T1 and 13.52% higher than T3, and the water consumption was the least, 143.73 m3/hm2, which was higher than T1 and T3, respectively. Water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) were 1023.81 (kg/m3) and 1719.26 (kg/m3), respectively. So the ventilation treatment in the early stage is to open the North window and the roof window, and the ventilation treatment in the middle and late stage is to open the North window, the south window and the roof window simultaneously. The purpose of this paper is to perfect the theory of greenhouse environmental regulation and control, and to provide reference for further rational layout of greenhouse vents.

Comparación de métodos directos e indirectos para la estimación del área foliar en duraznero (<i>Prunus persica</i>) y ciruelo (<i>Prunus salicina</i>)

El área foliar es un parámetro ampliamente usado en estudios de ecofisiología de cultivos, debido a que la relación existente entre el área foliar y la producción de fruta es bastante estrecha. Para su determinación se utilizan diferentes métodos ya sean destructivos, no destructivos o indirectos. La estimación del área foliar es una importante observación biométrica que debe hacerse con el propósito de comparar el comportamiento de los vegetales en función de diferentes tratamientos. El objetivo del estudio fue la determinación y validación de las funciones de regresión más acertadas para la estimación no destructiva del área foliar en algunos cultivares de duraznero y ciruelo. En este trabajo se calcularon funciones matemáticas para estimar el área foliar en los cultivares Gold Fruly, Ecuatoriano, Methley y Horvin, de ciruelo, y en los cultivares Dorado, Rubidoux, Diamante y Rey Negro, de duraznero. Las hojas se colectaron de árboles cultivados en Paipa, Colombia. Se seleccionó una función de regresión para cada cultivar y se realizó su validación comparando datos de área foliar estimados con las funciones matemáticas y datos medidos con el medidor de área foliar. Se tomó como variable independiente (X) de la función, el producto del largo por el ancho de la hoja. En todos los casos el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson presentó valores superiores a 0,9, señalando la estrecha relación entre los datos estimados y los observados. Con el uso de estas funciones, es posible estimar de manera no destructiva, el área foliar en los cultivares de duraznero y ciruelo involucrados en el estudio.

作物の環境応答における生理生態・遺伝・微気象モデルの融合的アプローチ

作物の環境応答における生理生態・遺伝・微気象モデルの融合的アプローチ

Producing more grain with lower environmental costs.

Agriculture faces great challenges to ensure global food security by increasing yields while reducing environmental costs. Here we address this challenge by conducting a total of 153 site-year field experiments covering the main agro-ecological areas for rice, wheat and maize production in China. A set of integrated soil-crop system management practices based on a modern understanding of crop ecophysiology and soil biogeochemistry increases average yields for rice, wheat and maize from 7.2million grams per hectare (Mgha(-1)), 7.2Mgha(-1) and 10.5Mgha(-1) to 8.5Mgha(-1), 8.9Mgha(-1) and 14.2Mgha(-1), respectively, without any increase in nitrogen fertilizer. Model simulation and life-cycle assessment show that reactive nitrogen losses and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced substantially by integrated soil-crop system management. If farmers in China could achieve average grain yields equivalent to 80% of this treatment by 2030, over the same planting area as in 2012, total production of rice, wheat and maize in China would be more than enough to meet the demand for direct human consumption and a substantially increased demand for animal feed, while decreasing the environmental costs of intensive agriculture.

Vertical Profile and Temporal Variation of Chlorophyll in Maize Canopy: Quantitative “Crop Vigor” Indicator by Means of Reflectance‐Based Techniques

Chlorophyll (Chl) content is among the most important crop biophysical characteristics. Chlorophyll can be related to photosynthetic capacity, thus, productivity, developmental stage, and canopy stresses. The objective of this study was to quantify and characterize the temporal variation of Chl content in the vertical profile of maize (Zea mays L.) canopies by means of a reflectance‐based, nondestructive methodology. A recently developed technique that relates leaf reflectance with leaf pigment content has been used for accurate leaf Chl estimation. The technique employs reflectance in two spectral bands: in the red edge (720–730 nm) and in the near infrared (770–800 nm). More than 2000 maize leaves were measured for reflectance and total and green area during a growing season. A bell‐shaped curve showed a very good fit for the vertical distribution of Chl content regardless of crop growth stage. The parameters and coefficients of the bell‐shape function were found to be very useful to interpret temporal changes in the vertical profile of each variable. Comparisons among Chl, leaf area index (LAI) and green LAI showed that Chl content was more sensitive to changes in the physiological status of maize than other biophysical characteristics. The quantification of Chl content in canopy should be seen as a useful tool to complement the information on green LAI or LAI. Its applicability will help to improve the understanding of the crop ecophysiology, productivity, the radiation use efficiency and the interplant competition.

Adaptation des systèmes de production agricole au changement climatique

L'adaptation des systèmes de production agricole au changement climatique doit prendre en compte, en premier lieu, l'impact prévisible sur la production végétale à partir des connaissances disponibles sur l'écophysiologie des cultures, appliquées à la simulation des effets des scénarios climatiques (incluant l'augmentation du CO2 atmosphérique). À partir d'une présentation générale des conséquences attendues et, par ailleurs, des observations concernant les évolutions récentes du climat et de ses conséquences sur la phénologie de certaines cultures pérennes (arbres fruitiers et vigne), ces effets sont précisés pour les grandes catégories de production au niveau de la France (grandes cultures annuelles, prairies et élevage, cultures pérennes). Ils conduisent à identifier les modalités d'adaptation au niveau des systèmes de culture pratiqués actuellement et dans le même contexte géographique. Au-delà, cependant, il convient de considérer un deuxième niveau, qui pourrait passer par un déplacement des systèmes de production en latitude ou en altitude et l'introduction de nouvelles espèces, puis celui correspondant à l'adaptation au niveau des territoires, dont les déterminants seront évoqués en conclusion. Pour citer cet article : B. Seguin, C. R. Geoscience 335 (2003). The adaptation of agricultural production systems to climatic change needs to firstly consider the predictable impact upon vegetal production, using the available knowledge on crop ecophysiology applied for simulating the effects of climate scenarios, including the increase of atmospheric CO2. The predicted consequences are firstly presented in general terms. They are thereafter detailed for each main type of production in France (annual crops, pastures and perennial crops), taking into account recent observations about the evolution of climate and related consequences on crop phenology (especially fruit trees and vine). They lead to identify the main lines for the adaptation at the level of present cropping systems, considered as geographically stable. However, this level needs to be completed by a second one, corresponding to a possible shift in latitude or altitude, as well as the introduction of new crops. Ultimately, a third level of adaptation will correspond to the evolution of territories and land use, whose determinants will be discussed in the conclusion. To cite this article: B. Seguin, C. R. Geoscience 335 (2003).

Ecophysiology of short rotation forest crops

Abstract An understanding of ecophysiology of the crop is critical to the effective management of short rotation forest crops. There are many interacting ecophysiological factors such as canopy structure and development, water and nutrient use efficiency, root architecture and function, sustainability of coppicing, which, through a deeper understanding, can be manipulated through genetic improvement and silvicultural practice. These complex factors are discussed, and areas requiring further research to elucidate the nature of the processes are highlighted.