Scale and Complexity in Plant Systems Research

The growing demand for food and increasing scarcity of fertile land and other resources (water, energy, etc. ) present multiple challenges to plant and crop scientists to meet the demands of future generations while protecting the environment and conserve biological diversity. Novel directions in linking basic plant sciences to crop and systems research are needed to meet the growing demand for food in a sustainable way. Crop performance can be changed by modifying genetic traits of the plant through plant breeding or changing the crop environment through agronomic management practices. To achieve that, systems analysis and modelling play an important role by integrating and evaluating new findings at the gene and plant level at higher scales of aggregation. Robust crop-physiological modelling can become an essential tool to use insights from functional genomics in explaining crop behaviour. Current crop models can predict crop performance over a range of environmental conditions. Recently QTL information has been incorporated into crop models, and this has proved the potential of narrowing genotype phenotype gaps and of applying QTL-based models for the analysis of genotype-- environment interactions. To make further progress, model structure must be upgraded to allow for more physiological feedback features. Model input parameters should be designed to be potentially grounded in gene-level understanding. Integration of crop modelling into genetic and genomic researches can enhance the future position of crop physiology in 'plant breeding by design' (Yin, X.

Presents genetics of plant performance: from genome to crop systems biology New insights in physiology and genetics of crop adaptation for wheat and maize Innovative approaches in architectural and physiology-based modelling of crop functioning Linking genetic and species diversity with resource use and crop performance Presents an outlook and dialogue on an agenda for future plant systems research

Klappentext

This book presents and discusses new directions in plant systems research to bridge knowledge from the gene to the plant, crop and agro-ecosystem levels and to assist in solving problems in production ecology and resource use by identifying and applying new research methods. Functional genomics, systems biology and ecophysiological modelling of crop growth and development provide powerful tools for identifying genes and genotypes of agronomic importance. Despite remarkable advances in basic knowledge of plant genes and gene networks, there has been relatively little impact on crop improvement from the application of genomics and recombinant-DNA technology. Novel directions in linking plant sciences to crop and systems research are needed to meet the growing demand for food in a sustainable way. The challenge is to produce more food on the limited available land through more efficient use of natural resources and external inputs.

Genetics of plant performance are discussed using examples of Arabidopsis thaliana and food crops. The concept of 'crop system biology' is introduced. Within the theme 'physiology and genetics' traits and mechanisms to improve crop adaptation are discussed. Furthermore, various approaches in modelling G x E interactions and crop performance are presented. Some chapters are dedicated to the role of diversity in optimizing resource use and crop performance. An outlook and dialogue on future directions in plant system research challenges readers with contrasting opinions on the way forward concerning this critical issue for the future of food production.

Inhalt
Genetics of plant performance: from molecular analysis to modelling.- Genetic and Molecular Analysis of Growth Responses to Environmental Factors Using Arabidopsis Thaliana Natural Variation.- From QTLS to Genes Controlling Root Traits in Maize.- Multi-Trait Multi-Environment QTL Modelling for Drought-Stress Adaptation in Maize.- Accounting for Variability in the Detection and Use of Markers for Simple and Complex Traits.- An Integrated Systems Approach to Crop Improvement.- Crop Systems Biology.- Modelling genotype × environment interactions.- A Modelling Approach To Genotype × Environment Interaction.- Modelling Genotype × Environment × Management Interactions to Improve Yield, Water Use Efficiency and Grain Protein in Wheat.- Physiological Processes to Understand Genotype × Environment Interactions in Maize Silking Dynamics.- Modelling the Genetic Basis of Response Curves Underlying Genotype × Environment Interaction.- Physiology and genetics of crop adaptation.- Physiological Interventions in Breeding for Adaptation to Abiotic Stress.- Physiological Traits for Improving Wheat Yield Under a Wide Range of Conditions.- Is Plant Growth Driven by Sink Regulation?.- Yield Improvement Associated with Lr19 Translocation in Wheat.- Physiology and modelling of crop adaptation.- Simulation Analysis of Physiological Traits to Improve Yield, Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Grain Protein Concentration in Wheat.- An Architectural Approach to Investigate Maize Response to Low Temperature.- Tillering in Spring Wheat.- Use of Crop Growth Models to Evaluate Physiological Traits in Genotypes of Horticultural Crops.- Diversity, resource use and crop performance.- Role of Root Clusters in Phosphorus Acquisition and Increasing Biological Diversity in Agriculture.- Prospects for GeneticImprovement to Increase Lowland Rice Yields with Less Water and Nitrogen.- Exploiting Diversity to Manage Weeds in Agro-Ecosystems.- Outlook and dialogue.- When can Intelligent Design of Crops by Humans Outperform Natural Selection?.- Integrated Assessment of Agricultural Systems at Multiple Scales.- A Dialogue on Interdisciplinary Collaboration to Bridge the Gap Between Plant Genomics and Crop Sciences.