Dataset Information

MuSCA: a multi-scale source-sink carbon allocation model to explore carbon allocation in plants. An application to static apple tree structures.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND AND AIMS:Carbon allocation in plants is usually represented at a topological scale, specific to each model. This makes the results obtained with different models, and the impact of their scales of representation, difficult to compare. In this study, we developed a multi-scale carbon allocation model (MuSCA) that allows the use of different, user-defined, topological scales of a plant, and assessment of the impact of each spatial scale on simulated results and computation time. METHODS:Model multi-scale consistency and behaviour were tested on three realistic apple tree structures. Carbon allocation was computed at five scales, spanning from the metamer (the finest scale, used as a reference) up to first-order branches, and for different values of a sap friction coefficient. Fruit dry mass increments were compared across spatial scales and with field data. KEY RESULTS:The model was able to represent effects of competition for carbon assimilates on fruit growth. Intermediate friction parameter values provided results that best fitted field data. Fruit growth simulated at the metamer scale differed of ~1 % in respect to results obtained at growth unit scale and up to 60 % in respect to first order branch and fruiting unit scales. Generally, the coarser the spatial scale the more predicted fruit growth diverged from the reference. Coherence in fruit growth across scales was also differentially impacted, depending on the tree structure considered. Decreasing the topological resolution reduced computation time by up to four orders of magnitude. CONCLUSIONS:MuSCA revealed that the topological scale has a major influence on the simulation of carbon allocation. This suggests that the scale should be a factor that is carefully evaluated when using a carbon allocation model, or when comparing results produced by different models. Finally, with MuSCA, trade-off between computation time and prediction accuracy can be evaluated by changing topological scales.

SUBMITTER: Reyes F

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7489079 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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MuSCA: a multi-scale source-sink carbon allocation model to explore carbon allocation in plants. An application to static apple tree structures.

Reyes F F Pallas B B Pradal C C Vaggi F F Zanotelli D D Tagliavini M M Gianelle D D Costes E E

Annals of botany 20200901 4

<h4>Background and aims</h4>Carbon allocation in plants is usually represented at a topological scale, specific to each model. This makes the results obtained with different models, and the impact of their scales of representation, difficult to compare. In this study, we developed a multi-scale carbon allocation model (MuSCA) that allows the use of different, user-defined, topological scales of a plant, and assessment of the impact of each spatial scale on simulated results and computation time. ...[more]

PMID: 31642506

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Project description:Background and aimsPlant growth depends on carbon availability and allocation among organs. QualiTree has been designed to simulate carbon allocation and partitioning in the peach tree (Prunus persica), whereas MappleT is dedicated to the simulation of apple tree (Malus × domestica) architecture. The objective of this study was to couple both models and adapt QualiTree to apple trees to simulate organ growth traits and their within-tree variability.MethodsMappleT was used to generate architectures corresponding to the 'Fuji' cultivar, accounting for the variability within and among individuals. These architectures were input into QualiTree to simulate shoot and fruit growth during a growth cycle. We modified QualiTree to account for the observed shoot polymorphism in apple trees, i.e. different classes (long, medium and short) that were characterized by different growth function parameters. Model outputs were compared with observed 3D tree geometries, considering shoot and final fruit size and growth dynamics.Key resultsThe modelling approach connecting MappleT and QualiTree was appropriate to the simulation of growth and architectural characteristics at the tree scale (plant leaf area, shoot number and types, fruit weight at harvest). At the shoot scale, mean fruit weight and its variability within trees was accurately simulated, whereas the model tended to overestimate individual shoot leaf area and underestimate its variability for each shoot type. Varying the parameter related to the intensity of carbon exchange between shoots revealed that behaviour intermediate between shoot autonomy and a common assimilate pool was required to properly simulate within-tree fruit growth variability. Moreover, the model correctly dealt with the crop load effect on organ growth.ConclusionsThis study provides understanding of the integration of shoot ontogenetic properties, carbon supply and transport between entities for simulating organ growth in trees. Further improvements regarding the integration of retroaction loops between carbon allocation and the resulting plant architecture are expected to allow multi-year simulations.

Project description:BackgroundBeing a promising tropical woody oilseed crop, the evergreen and recurrent plants of Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) has complex phenology and source-sink interactions. Carbon source-sink manipulations with control and two treatments (reduce source, ca. 10% mature leaf pruning; reduce sink, 10% fruitlet thinning) were conducted on 2.5-year-old field-grown P. volubilis plantation during the early-wet season in a seasonal tropical area.ResultsLeaf photosynthetic rate and specific leaf area largely remained unchanged in response to defoliation or defloration. Compared with control, higher N contents on average were observed in both remaining leaves and branches of the defoliated plants, suggesting that N-mobilization was mainly due to the enhanced N uptake from soil. Carbon, but not N, is a source-driven growth process of P. volubilis plants, as defoliation reduced the contents of non-structural carbohydrates (especially sugar) in branches, although temporally, whereas defloration increased available C reserve. The seasonal dynamic pattern of fruit ripening was altered by source-sink regulations. Total seed yield throughout the growing season, which depends on fruit set and retention (i.e., number of matured fruit) rather than individual fruit development (size), was slightly increased by defloration but was significantly decreased by defoliation. Compared with control, defloration did not enrich the KEGG pathway, but defoliation downregulated the TCA cycle and carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms in fruitlets after 24 days of the applications of source-sink manipulation.ConclusionCarbohydrate reserves serve to buffer sink-source imbalances that may result from temporary adjustment in demand for assimilates (e.g., defloration) or shortfalls in carbon assimilation (e.g., defoliation). Defoliation is disadvantageous for the yield and also for carbohydrate and lipid accumulation in fruits of P. volubilis plants. Although more studies are needed, these results provide new insights to the further improvement in seed yield of the strong source-limited P. volubilis plants by source/sink manipulations.

Project description:Responses to altered source–sink balance have been characterized in many crops at the physiological level, but the underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Detailed transcriptional profiling was performed in partially defoliated and shaded tomato plants to explore the effect of reduced source-to-sink ratio on molecular changes in the remaining source leaves. Transcription profiles of the remaining leaves 48 h after partial defoliation or partial shading were compared to leaves of control plants. Common significantly altered genes in the two treatments were assumed to be related to the reduced source-to-sink ratio. Sets of major genes in the abscisic acid, ethylene and gibberellin signal-transduction pathways were downregulated by both treatments. On the other hand, genes encoding cytokinin biosynthesis were upregulated. Most genes coding for transcription factors were also downregulated, especially those related to biotic and abiotic stress responses. Perhaps the most pronounced effect of reduced source-to-sink ratio was related to genes involved in the regulation of photosynthetic activity. Numerous genes coding for light-harvesting proteins, as well as those encoding plastocyanin, ferredoxin and ferredoxin NADP+ oxidoreductase were upregulated. Direct spectrophotometric analyses showed higher maximal potential activity of photosystem I with reduced source-to-sink ratio. As expected, the increased capacity for photosynthetic activity was associated with upregulation of almost all genes coding for the Calvin–Benson cycle and those encoding ATP biosynthesis in the mitochondria. Numerous transcriptional changes were observed 48 h after reducing source-to-sink ratio. Major genes in the photosynthetic-activity pathways were upregulated, whereas those in the pathways of defense mechanisms and responses to stress were downregulated. Genes involved in leaf senescence were also downregulated, suggesting that in addition to increased photosynthetic activity, the remaining leaves undergo a process of rejuvenation.

Dataset Information

MuSCA: a multi-scale source-sink carbon allocation model to explore carbon allocation in plants. An application to static apple tree structures.

Publications

MuSCA: a multi-scale source-sink carbon allocation model to explore carbon allocation in plants. An application to static apple tree structures.

Similar Datasets

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