The Experts below are selected from a list of 303 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Randa Lopez Morgan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

Saman Seneweera - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • understanding Crop Physiology to select breeding targets and improve Crop management under increasing atmospheric co2 concentrations
    Environmental and Experimental Botany, 2013
    Co-Authors: Michael Tausz, Sabine Tauszposch, Robert Norton, Glenn J Fitzgerald, Marc E Nicolas, Saman Seneweera
    Abstract:

    The present overview paper reviews knowledge on plant metabolism under elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations (e[CO2]) with regard to underpinning options for the management of Crop production systems and the selection of Crop traits beneficial for future conditions. Better understanding of intra-specific variability in responses to e[CO2] is of great importance to breed or select best possible genotypes for future conditions. Yield increases per 100μLL-1 increase in [CO2] varied between none and over 30% among varieties of important Crops. Carbon source-sink relationships are believed to play a major role in determining the ability of a plant to utilise e[CO2] and avoid downward acclimation of photosynthesis upon prolonged e[CO2] exposure. Corresponding traits (e.g. tillering capacity, stem carbohydrate storage capacity, or seed size and numbers) are currently under investigation in Free Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment (FACE) facilities, such as AGFACE (Australian Grains FACE). The stimulatory effect of e[CO2] on plant growth is dependent on adequate nutrient supply. For example, N concentrations in plant tissues generally decrease under e[CO2], which in leaves is commonly related to a decrease in Rubisco concentration and activity, and therefore linked to photosynthetic downward acclimation. This effect is also of direct concern for food production where decreased N and protein content can have negative effects on product quality (e.g. grain protein). Plant nutrient metabolism appears to adjust to a new physiological equilibrium under e[CO2] which limits the extent to which nutrient application can ameliorate the situation. What the control points are for an adjustment of plant N metabolism is unclear. Rubisco metabolism in leaves, N assimilation, N translocation or N uptake are all potential key steps that may be inhibited or downregulated under e[CO2]. To achieve the best possible growth response whilst maintaining product quality, it is important to understand plant nutrient metabolism under e[CO2]. Comparatively little is known about mechanisms of potential changes in plant stress tolerance under e[CO2]. Defence metabolites such as antioxidants are, in part, directly linked to primary carbohydrate mechanism and so potentially impacted by e[CO2]. It is unknown whether photoprotective and antioxidative defence systems, key to plant stress tolerance, will be affected, and if so, whether the response will be strengthened or weakened by e[CO2]. Better understanding of underlying principles is particularly important because it is virtually impossible to test all possible stress factor combinations with e[CO2] in realistic field settings.

Xinyou Yin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Applying modelling experiences from the past to shape Crop systems biology: the need to converge Crop Physiology and functional genomics.
    The New phytologist, 2008
    Co-Authors: Xinyou Yin, Paul C. Struik
    Abstract:

    Summary Functional genomics has been driven greatly by emerging experimental technologies. Its development as a scientific discipline will be enhanced by systems biology, which generates novel, quantitative hypotheses via modelling. However, in order to better assist Crop improvement, the impact of developing functional genomics needs to be assessed at the Crop level, given a projected diminishing effect of genetic alteration on phenotypes from the molecule to Crop levels. This review illustrates a recently proposed research field, Crop systems biology, which is located at the crossroads of Crop Physiology and functional genomics, and intends to promote communications between the two. Past experiences with modelling whole-Crop Physiology indicate that the layered structure of biological systems should be taken into account. Moreover, modelling not only plays a role in data synthesis and quantitative prediction, but certainly also in heuristics and system design. These roles of modelling can be applied to Crop systems biology to enhance its contribution to our understanding of complex Crop phenotypes and subsequently to Crop improvement. The success of Crop systems biology needs commitments from scientists along the entire knowledge chain of plant biology, from molecule or gene to Crop and agro-ecosystem.

  • Role of Crop Physiology in predicting gene-to-phenotype relationships.
    Trends in plant science, 2004
    Co-Authors: Xinyou Yin, Paul C. Struik, Martin J. Kropff
    Abstract:

    Robust Crop physiological modelling could become an essential tool in explaining Crop behaviour using insights from functional genomics. Current Crop models can predict Crop performance over a range of environmental conditions. Recently, quantitative trait loci (QTL) information has been incorporated into Crop models, which has shown the potential for narrowing genotype–phenotype gaps and for applying QTL-based models to the analysis of genotype-by-environment interactions. For further progress, the model structure must be upgraded to allow more physiological feedback features to be incorporated. Model input parameters should be designed to be grounded potentially in gene-level understanding. Integration of Crop modelling into genetic and genomic research should enhance the future position of Crop Physiology in ‘plant breeding by design'.

Paul C. Struik - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Can Physiology Help Us to Combat Late Blight in Potato?
    Potato Research, 2010
    Co-Authors: Paul C. Struik
    Abstract:

    Late blight is a devastating disease in potato production world-wide. Breeding for resistance is complex because of the versatile and aggressive population of Phytophthora infestans , which overcomes any new genetic source of resistance very rapidly. There are reliable fungicides available to control the disease, but chemical control is costly and harmful to the environment. There are no cultural practices reducing the infestation, which are reliable enough to cope with the disease in a non-chemical way. Given the close link between the physiological condition of the Crop and its resistance to late blight, this paper addresses the question whether Crop Physiology can help to combat the disease. Although there are possibilities to (partly) escape to the late blight by advancing the Crop cycle or the tuber bulking, it is concluded that Crop Physiology can do little to reliably reduce the susceptibility to late blight. Breeding for resistance remains the best option.

  • Applying modelling experiences from the past to shape Crop systems biology: the need to converge Crop Physiology and functional genomics.
    The New phytologist, 2008
    Co-Authors: Xinyou Yin, Paul C. Struik
    Abstract:

    Summary Functional genomics has been driven greatly by emerging experimental technologies. Its development as a scientific discipline will be enhanced by systems biology, which generates novel, quantitative hypotheses via modelling. However, in order to better assist Crop improvement, the impact of developing functional genomics needs to be assessed at the Crop level, given a projected diminishing effect of genetic alteration on phenotypes from the molecule to Crop levels. This review illustrates a recently proposed research field, Crop systems biology, which is located at the crossroads of Crop Physiology and functional genomics, and intends to promote communications between the two. Past experiences with modelling whole-Crop Physiology indicate that the layered structure of biological systems should be taken into account. Moreover, modelling not only plays a role in data synthesis and quantitative prediction, but certainly also in heuristics and system design. These roles of modelling can be applied to Crop systems biology to enhance its contribution to our understanding of complex Crop phenotypes and subsequently to Crop improvement. The success of Crop systems biology needs commitments from scientists along the entire knowledge chain of plant biology, from molecule or gene to Crop and agro-ecosystem.

  • Role of Crop Physiology in predicting gene-to-phenotype relationships.
    Trends in plant science, 2004
    Co-Authors: Xinyou Yin, Paul C. Struik, Martin J. Kropff
    Abstract:

    Robust Crop physiological modelling could become an essential tool in explaining Crop behaviour using insights from functional genomics. Current Crop models can predict Crop performance over a range of environmental conditions. Recently, quantitative trait loci (QTL) information has been incorporated into Crop models, which has shown the potential for narrowing genotype–phenotype gaps and for applying QTL-based models to the analysis of genotype-by-environment interactions. For further progress, the model structure must be upgraded to allow more physiological feedback features to be incorporated. Model input parameters should be designed to be grounded potentially in gene-level understanding. Integration of Crop modelling into genetic and genomic research should enhance the future position of Crop Physiology in ‘plant breeding by design'.

Bertrand Ney - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Crop Physiology and productivity
    Field Crops Research, 1997
    Co-Authors: Marie-hélène Jeuffroy, Bertrand Ney
    Abstract:

    Abstract This paper reviews aspects of Crop Physiology and productivity for selected grain legumes. Vegetative development, including phases of leaf area increase and branching are described, then, the main reproductive stages and their progression along the stem are discussed. The effects of water and nitrogen shortage on reproductive development are briefly described. A model for reproductive development along a stem is proposed and applied to several grain legumes, and effects of genetic variability are discussed. Growth, and its analysis in terms of intercepted radiation and radiation use efficiency are then reviewed. The variability of these two components is analysed according to differences due to species, genotypes (mainly characterized by different foliage structures), environmental conditions and methods of measurement. Yield is then analysed as a direct consequence of Crop growth. Finally, a pattern of assimilate partitioning is described, and its consequences for reproductive structure formation, i.e. the grain number on each node of the stem, are discussed.