Root plasticity improves maize nitrogen use when nitrogen is limiting: an analysis using 3D plant modelling.

ABSTRACT: Plant phenotypic plasticity plays an important role in nitrogen (N) acquisition and use under nitrogen-limited conditions. However, this role has never been quantified as a function of N availability, leaving it unclear whether plastic responses should be considered as potential targets for selection. A combined modelling and experimentation approach was adopted to quantify the role of plasticity in N uptake and plant yield. Based on a greenhouse experiment we considered plasticity in two maize (Zea mays) traits: root-to-leaf biomass allocation ratio and emergence rate of axial roots. In a simulation experiment we individually enabled or disabled both plastic responses for maize stands grown across six N levels. Both plastic responses contributed to maintaining a higher N uptake, and plant

SUBMITTER: Lu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11427830 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature