scholarly journals Root traits with team benefits: understanding belowground interactions in intercropping systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Homulle ◽  
T. S. George ◽  
A. J. Karley
Keyword(s):  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Belowground Interactions ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Plant Plant

Abstract Background The potential benefits of intercropping are manifold and have been repeatedly demonstrated. Intercropping has the potential to create more productive and resilient agroecosystems, by improving land utilisation, yield and yield stability, soil quality, and pest, disease and weed suppression. Despite these potential benefits, significant gaps remain in the understanding of ecological mechanisms that govern the outcomes when crop species are grown together. A major part of plant-plant interactions takes place belowground and these are often overlooked. Scope This review synthesises current evidence for belowground plant-plant interactions of competition, niche differentiation and facilitation, with the aim of identifying root traits that influence the processes contributing to enhanced performance of intercrops compared with monocultures. We identify a suite of potentially complementary root traits for maximising the benefits of intercropping. These traits underpin improved soil exploration, more efficient resource use, and suppression of soil-borne pathogens and pests in intercrops. Conclusion This review brings together understanding of the mechanisms underpinning interactions between intercropped roots, and how root traits and their plasticity can promote positive outcomes. Root trait ‘ideotypes’ for intercropped partners are identified that could be selected for crop improvement. We highlight the importance of examining belowground interactions and consider both spatial and temporal distribution of roots and rhizosphere mechanisms that aid complementarity through niche differentiation and facilitation. Breeding of crop ideotypes with specific beneficial root traits, combined with considerations for optimal spatio-temporal arrangement and ratios of component crops, are essential next steps to promote the adoption of intercropping as a sustainable farming practice.

Root physiological responses can explain the effects of short-term plant-plant interactions on growth of two subalpine coniferous species

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuefeng Hu ◽  
Wanting Li ◽  
Qinghua Liu ◽  
Chunying Yin
Keyword(s):  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Interspecific Interaction ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Intraspecific Interaction ◽  
Coniferous Species ◽  
Lower Root ◽  
Plant Plant

Root functional traits play an important role in nutrient acquisition of plants, affecting the outcome of plant-plant interactions. However, few studies have comprehensively investigated the plastic responses of plant root traits to plant-plant interactions. A pot experiment was conducted to quantify the effects of intraspecific and interspecific interactions on seedlings growth and multiple root traits of two coniferous species, Picea asperata and Abies faxoniana. The results showed that plant-plant interactions changed root physiology of two species but did not affect their root system, morphological, architectural and biotic traits. Intraspecific interaction resulted in lower root N content and stronger resource competition than under interspecific interaction. Under intraspecific interaction, P. asperata had lower root vigor and nitrate reductase activity, which impeded the acquisition and utilization of the limited resources, and thus resulted in marginally decreased total biomass; while total biomass for A. faxoniana was not significantly affected. Under interspecific interaction, the high total biomass of A. faxoniana could be explained by rhizosphere interactive effects and reduced metabolic (carbon and nitrogen) costs due to lower root exudative outputs. Our results demonstrate that root physiological responses can explain the effects of short-term plant-plant interactions on plant growth.

scholarly journals Interspecific interactions regulate plant reproductive allometry in cereal-legume intercropping systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noémie Gaudio ◽  
Cyrille Violle ◽  
Xavier Gendre ◽  
Florian Fort ◽  
Rémi Mahmoud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Ecological Theory ◽  
Resource Limitation ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Plant Plant

Calls for ecological principles in agriculture have gained momentum. Intercropping systems have long been designed by growing two, or more, annual crop species in the same field, aiming for a better resource use efficiency. However, assembly rules for their design are lacking. Notably, it is still unknown whether species performances are maximized during both the vegetative and reproductive phases given the sensitivity of reproductive allocation rules to resource limitation. Interestingly, ecological theory provides expectations regarding putative invariance of plant reproductive allometry (PRA) under non-limiting conditions for plant growth. Here we examined whether and how PRA changes in response to plant-plant interactions in intercropping systems, which can inform both ecological theory and the understanding of the functioning of intercropping systems. We analyzed a dataset of 28 field cereal-legume intercropping trials from various climatic and management conditions across Western Europe. PRA was quantified in both mixing and single-species situations. PRA was positively impacted in specific management conditions, leading to a greater increase in yield for a given increase in plant size. Variations in PRA were more beneficial for legumes grown in unfertilized mixture, which explains their use as a key component in actual intercrop systems. The response for cereals was similar but less pronounced in magnitude, and was greater under limiting resource conditions. Focusing on intercropping conditions, hierarchical competition (indicated by biomass difference between intercropped species) appears as a strong driver of the reproductive output of a given species. Synthesis and applications. PRA behaves in crop species in the same way as it does in wild species. However, contrary to theoretical expectations about an overall invariance of PRA, our meta-analysis highlighted taxon-specific and context-dependent effects of plant-plant interactions on PRA. This systematic deviation to PRA expectations could be leveraged to cultivate each species up to its reproductive optimum while accounting for the performance of the other, whether the farmer's objective is to favor one species or reach an equilibrium in seed production. In turn, such a dialog between agronomy and ecology is a unique opportunity to challenge the validity domain and robustness of major ecological laws.

scholarly journals Shifts and disruptions in resource-use trait syndromes during the evolution of herbaceous crops

2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1793) ◽  
pp. 20141429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubén Milla ◽  
Javier Morente-López ◽  
J. Miguel Alonso-Rodrigo ◽  
Nieves Martín-Robles ◽  
F. Stuart Chapin
Keyword(s):  
Resource Use ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Crop Evolution ◽  
Plant Domestication ◽  
Phenotypic Integration ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
High Resource ◽  
Herbaceous Crops ◽  
Wild Progenitors

Trait-based ecology predicts that evolution in high-resource agricultural environments should select for suites of traits that enable fast resource acquisition and rapid canopy closure. However, crop breeding targets specific agronomic attributes rather than broad trait syndromes. Breeding for specific traits, together with evolution in high-resource environments, might lead to reduced phenotypic integration, according to predictions from the ecological literature. We provide the first comprehensive test of these hypotheses, based on a trait-screening programme of 30 herbaceous crops and their wild progenitors. During crop evolution plants became larger, which enabled them to compete more effectively for light, but they had poorly integrated phenotypes. In a subset of six herbaceous crop species investigated in greater depth, competitiveness for light increased during early plant domestication, whereas diminished phenotypic integration occurred later during crop improvement. Mass-specific leaf and root traits relevant to resource-use strategies (e.g. specific leaf area or tissue density of fine roots) changed during crop evolution, but in diverse and contrasting directions and magnitudes, depending on the crop species. Reductions in phenotypic integration and overinvestment in traits involved in competition for light may affect the chances of upgrading modern herbaceous crops to face current climatic and food security challenges.

ALLELOPATHIC EFFECTS OF PARTHENIUM HYSTEROPHORUS ON GERMINATION OF SORGHUM SEEDS

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (26) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jitendra Rajpoot
Keyword(s):  
Biological System ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Plant Virus ◽  
Evolutionary Origin ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Biological Organization ◽  
Plant Soil ◽  
System A ◽  
Allelopathic Effects ◽  
Plant Plant

International Allelopathy Society has redefined Allelopathy as any process involving secondary metabolities produced by plants, algae, bacteria, fungi and viruses that influences the growth and development of agricultural and biological system; a study of the functions of secondary metabolities, their significance in biological organization, their evolutionary origin and elucidation of the mechanisms involving plant-plant, plant-microorganisms, plant-virus, plant-insect, plant-soil-plant interactions.

scholarly journals Ketamine in acute phase of severe traumatic brain injury “an old drug for new uses?”

Critical Care ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Agustin Godoy ◽  
Rafael Badenes ◽  
Paolo Pelosi ◽  
Chiara Robba
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Intracranial Pressure ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Safety Profile ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Sedation And Analgesia

AbstractMaintaining an adequate level of sedation and analgesia plays a key role in the management of traumatic brain injury (TBI). To date, it is unclear which drug or combination of drugs is most effective in achieving these goals. Ketamine is an agent with attractive pharmacological and pharmacokinetics characteristics. Current evidence shows that ketamine does not increase and may instead decrease intracranial pressure, and its safety profile makes it a reliable tool in the prehospital environment. In this point of view, we discuss different aspects of the use of ketamine in the acute phase of TBI, with its potential benefits and pitfalls.

scholarly journals Competition-free gaps are essential for the germination and recruitment of alpine species along an elevation gradient in the European Alps

Alpine Botany ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Margreiter ◽  
Janette Walde ◽  
Brigitta Erschbamer
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Environmental Control ◽  
Elevation Gradient ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Seed Sowing ◽  
Plant Plant

AbstractSeed germination and seedling recruitment are key processes in the life cycle of plants. They enable populations to grow, migrate, or persist. Both processes are under environmental control and influenced by site conditions and plant–plant interactions. Here, we present the results of a seed-sowing experiment performed along an elevation gradient (2000–2900 m a.s.l.) in the European eastern Alps. We monitored the germination of seeds and seedling recruitment for 2 years. Three effects were investigated: effects of sites and home sites (seed origin), effects of gaps, and plant–plant interactions. Seeds of eight species originating from two home sites were transplanted to four sites (home site and ± in elevation). Seed sowing was performed in experimentally created gaps. These gap types (‘gap + roots’, ‘neighbor + roots’, and ‘no-comp’) provided different plant–plant interactions and competition intensities. We observed decreasing germination with increasing elevation, independent of the species home sites. Competition-released gaps favored recruitment, pointing out the important role of belowground competition and soil components in recruitment. In gaps with one neighboring species, neutral plant–plant interactions occurred (with one exception). However, considering the relative vegetation cover of each experimental site, high vegetation cover resulted in positive effects on recruitment at higher sites and neutral effects at lower sites. All tested species showed intraspecific variability when responding to the experimental conditions. We discuss our findings considering novel site and climatic conditions.

scholarly journals Spring-planted cover crops for weed control in soybean

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Katja Koehler-Cole ◽  
Christopher A. Proctor ◽  
Roger W. Elmore ◽  
David A. Wedin
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Cold Temperatures ◽  
Weed Biomass ◽  
Small Grains

Abstract Replacing tillage with cover crops (CC) for weed management in corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] systems with mechanical weed control has many soil health benefits but in the western Corn Belt, CC establishment after harvest is hampered by cold temperatures, limited labor and few compatible CC species. Spring-planted CC may be an alternative, but information is lacking on suitable CC species. Our objective was to evaluate four spring-planted CC with respect to biomass production and weed suppression, concurrent with CC growth and post-termination. Cover crop species tested were oat (Avena sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), brown mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] and yellow mustard (Brassica hirta Moench). They were compared to no-CC treatments that were either tilled pre- and post-planting of soybean (no-CC tilled) or not tilled at all (no-CC weedy). CC were planted in late March to early April, terminated 52–59 days later using an undercutter, and soybean was planted within a week. The experiment had a randomized complete block design with four replications and was repeated for 3 years. Mustards and small grains produced similar amounts of biomass (1.54 Mg ha−1) but mustard biomass production was more consistent (0.85–2.72 Mg ha−1) than that of the small grains (0.35–3.81 Mg ha−1). Relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, mustards suppressed concurrent weed biomass in two out of 3 years, by 31–97%, and small grains suppressed concurrent weed biomass in only 1 year, by 98%. Six weeks after soybean planting, small grains suppressed weed biomass in one out of 3 years, by 79% relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, but mustards did not provide significant weed suppression. The no-CC tilled treatment suppressed weeds each year relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, on average 87%. The ineffective weed control by CC reduced soybean biomass by about 50% six weeks after planting. While spring-planted CC have the potential for pre-plant weed control, they do not provide adequate early season weed suppression for soybean.

scholarly journals Trichoderma Strains and Metabolites Selectively Increase the Production of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Olive Trees

Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 213
Author(s):  
Irene Dini ◽  
Roberta Marra ◽  
Pierpaolo Cavallo ◽  
Angela Pironti ◽  
Immacolata Sepe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Lipid Signaling ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Growth Promoters ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Trichoderma Fungi ◽  
Olive Trees ◽  
Plant Plant

Plants emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that induce metabolomic, transcriptomic, and behavioral reactions in receiver organisms, including insect pollinators and herbivores. VOCs’ composition and concentration may influence plant-insect or plant-plant interactions and affect soil microbes that may interfere in plant-plant communication. Many Trichoderma fungi act as biocontrol agents of phytopathogens and plant growth promoters. Moreover, they can stimulate plant defense mechanisms against insect pests. This study evaluated VOCs’ emission by olive trees (Olea europaea L.) when selected Trichoderma fungi or metabolites were used as soil treatments. Trichoderma harzianum strains M10, T22, and TH1, T. asperellum strain KV906, T. virens strain GV41, and their secondary metabolites harzianic acid (HA), and 6-pentyl-α-pyrone (6PP) were applied to olive trees. Charcoal cartridges were employed to adsorb olive VOCs, and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis allowed their identification and quantification. A total of 45 volatile compounds were detected, and among these, twenty-five represented environmental pollutants and nineteen compounds were related to olive plant emission. Trichoderma strains and metabolites differentially enhanced VOCs production, affecting three biosynthetic pathways: methylerythritol 1-phosphate (MEP), lipid-signaling, and shikimate pathways. Multivariate analysis models showed a characteristic fingerprint of each plant-fungus/metabolite relationship, reflecting a different emission of VOCs by the treated plants. Specifically, strain M10 and the metabolites 6PP and HA enhanced the monoterpene syntheses by controlling the MEP pathway. Strains GV41, KV906, and the metabolite HA stimulated the hydrocarbon aldehyde formation (nonanal) by regulating the lipid-signaling pathway. Finally, Trichoderma strains GV41, M10, T22, TH1, and the metabolites HA and 6PP improve aromatic syntheses at different steps of the shikimate pathway.

Mycorrhizosphere bacteria and plant-plant interactions facilitate maize P acquisition in an intercropping system

2021 ◽  
pp. 127993
Author(s):  
Chun Song ◽  
Clement Kyei Sarpong ◽  
Xiaofeng Zhang ◽  
Wenjing Wang ◽  
Lingfeng Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Interactions ◽  
P Acquisition ◽  
Plant Plant

Ecological field theory model: a mechanistic approach to simulate plant–plant interactions in southeastern forest ecosystems

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 2180-2193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pu Mou ◽  
Robert J. Mitchell ◽  
Robert H. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Vegetation Dynamics ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Theory Model ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Simulation Accuracy ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Plant Plant

Ecological field theory, unlike many other vegetation modeling approaches, provides a basis to construct an individually based, spatially explicit, and resource-mediated model for mechanistic simulation of plant–plant interactions and vegetation dynamics. The model REGROW has been developed, based on ecological field theory principles, to simulate vegetation dynamics for northern hardwood forests. Using data from a current study of a southern pine system to calibrate a modified version of this model, SPGROW, we simulated growth of individuals for the first growing season in stands of loblolly pine (Pinustaeda L.) and sweetgum (Liquidambarstyraciflua L.) seedlings and loblolly pine seedling–sweetgum sprout mixtures. SPGROW accurately simulated stand development at population and stand levels. However, less agreement occurred at the individual level between simulated and field survey values, possibly owing to lack of data on site heterogeneity and genetic variation. Plant interactions, which altered resource availability (light, water, and nutrients) to individual plants, played a major role in differentiating plant size in the model. Given its unique model structure and simulation accuracy, SPGROW has the potential to provide very detailed insight into the mechanisms of plant–plant interactions.

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