Stabilization of yield in plant genotype mixtures through compensation rather than complementation |
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Authors: | Henry E Creissen Tove H Jorgensen James K M Brown |
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Institution: | 1.Crop Genetics Department, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7UH, UK;2.School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ, UK;3.Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark |
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Abstract: | Background and AimsPlant genotypic mixtures have the potential to increase yield stability in variable, often unpredictable environments, yet knowledge of the specific mechanisms underlying enhanced yield stability remains limited. Field studies are constrained by environmental conditions which cannot be fully controlled and thus reproduced. A suitable model system would allow reproducible experiments on processes operating within crop genetic mixtures.MethodsPhenotypically dissimilar genotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana were grown in monocultures and mixtures under high levels of competition for abiotic resources. Seed production, flowering time and rosette size were recorded.Key ResultsMixtures achieved high yield stability across environments through compensatory interactions. Compensation was greatest when plants were under high levels of heat and nutrient stress. Competitive ability and mixture performance were predictable from above-ground phenotypic traits even though below-ground competition appeared to be more intense.ConclusionsThis study indicates that the mixing ability of plant genotypes can be predicted from their phenotypes expressed in a range of relevant environments, and implies that a phenotypic screen of genotypes could improve the selection of suitable components of genotypic mixtures in agriculture intended to be resilient to environmental stress. |
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Keywords: | Arabidopsis thaliana compensation experimental ecology genotype mixtures model-to-crop translational research plant competition resistance to environmental stress variety mixtures yield stability |
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