110-1 Designing Crop Root Systems Efficient in Capturing Soil Water and Nutrients.
See more from this Division: C02 Crop Physiology and MetabolismSee more from this Session: Martin and Ruth Massengale Lectureship
Simulation modelling plays an important role in understanding the spatial and temporal complexity of root-soil interactions at various scales. We have developed and used the 3-D model ROOTMAP that combines root structure and function with environmental cues to drive regulation on a whole-plant basis. It simulates water and nutrient dynamics (soil transport and plant uptake) and root growth responses to those dynamics in soils with varying resistance to root growth and differing water and nutrient supplies at scales ranging from micro (rhizosphere) to macro (field). We have documented that ROOTMAP (i) matches the patterns of root growth and nutrient uptake measured in the field and (ii) defines the optimal root structure and function regarding uptake of water, nitrate and P by lupins, wheat and field peas under variable seasonal conditions. We have successfully used ROOTMAP to (i) determine which root traits optimise plant performance in diverse environments, and (ii) express model parameters dealing with the root architecture in relation to genetic effects.
See more from this Session: Martin and Ruth Massengale Lectureship