Register      Login
Crop and Pasture Science Crop and Pasture Science Society
Plant sciences, sustainable farming systems and food quality
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > CP > CP08409
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 60(8)

Modelling seasonality of dry matter partitioning and root maintenance respiration in lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) crops

Edmar I. Teixeira A B , Derrick J. Moot A D and Hamish E. Brown A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, PO Box 7647, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.

B LUC-IIASA, Land Use Change and Agriculture Program, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Schlossplatz 1, Laxenburg, Austria.

C Institute for Plant and Food Research, Private Bag 4704, Christchurch, New Zealand.

D Corresponding author. Email: moot@lincoln.ac.nz

Crop and Pasture Science 60(8) 778-784 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP08409
Submitted: 15 November 2008  Accepted: 7 May 2009   Published: 5 August 2009

Abstract

In lucerne, a dynamic fraction of total daily assimilates is allocated to the root system and the amount partitioned differs in response to seasonal environmental stimuli. This study proposes a simple framework to quantify this dynamic for inclusion in lucerne simulation models. The framework incorporates recent findings on radiation-use efficiency, radiation interception, and dry matter (DM) partitioning to shoots and roots in response to environmental factors. Results showed that the root mean squared deviation (RMSD) between observed and simulated values was 20% of the mean for shoot biomass and 24% for leaf area index. However, there was systematic bias (73% of RMSD) between observed and simulated root biomass (RMSD = 35%). This was caused by the initial assumption of a constant rate for root maintenance respiration (Rm) of 0.015 g/g.day in the model calculations. Sensitivity analysis, with constant Rm values that ranged from 0.005 to 0.030 g/g.day, failed to improve the prediction of root biomass. The modelling exercise suggested the existence of a systematic pattern of change in Rm from 0.035 g/g.day in summer to <0.005 g/g.day in winter. When this seasonality was incorporated, the accuracy of root DM simulations improved (RMSD = 14%). The possible existence of a seasonal Rm in lucerne, unveiled by this modelling approach, needs to be validated with an independent dataset.

Additional keywords: alfalfa, crop modelling, light-use efficiency, root reserves.


References


Atkin OK, Edwards EJ, Loveys BR, Norby R, Fitter A, Jackson R (2000) Response of root respiration to changes in temperature and its relevance to global warming. New Phytologist 147, 141–154.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Avice JC, Lemaire G, Ourry A, Boucaud J (1997) Effects of the previous shoot removal frequency on subsequent shoot regrowth in two Medicago sativa L. cultivars. Plant and Soil 188, 189–198.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Bouma TJ, Broekhuysen AGM, Veen BW (1996) Analysis of root respiration of Solanum tuberosum as related to growth, ion uptake and maintenance of biomass. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 34, 795–806.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Bouma TJ , Bryla DR , Yadong L , Eissenstat DM (2000) Is maintenance respiration in roots constant? In ‘The supporting roots of trees and woody-plants: form, function and physiology’. (Ed. A Stokes) pp. 391–396. (Kluwer Academic Publishers: Dordrecht, The Netherlands)

Brown HE, Moot DJ, Pollock KM (2005a) Herbage production, persistence, nutritive characteristics and water use of perennial forages over 6 years on a Wakanui silt loam. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 48, 423–439. open url image1

Brown HE, Moot DJ, Teixeira EI (2005b) The components of lucerne (Medicago sativa) leaf area index respond to temperature and photoperiod in a temperate climate. European Journal of Agronomy 23, 348–358.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Brown HE, Moot DJ, Teixeira EI (2006) Radiation use efficiency and biomass partitioning of lucerne (Medicago sativa) in a temperate climate. European Journal of Agronomy 25, 319–327.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Cannell MGR, Thornley JHM (2000) Modelling the components of plant respiration: some guiding principles. Annals of Botany 85, 45–54.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Confalonieri R, Bechini L (2004) A preliminary evaluation of the simulation model CropSyst for alfalfa. European Journal of Agronomy 21, 223–237.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Dolling PJ, Robertson MJ, Asseng S, Ward PR, Latta RA (2005) Simulating lucerne growth and water use on diverse soil types in a Mediterranean-type environment. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 56, 503–515.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Durand JL, Varlet Grancher C, Lemaire G, Gastal F, Moulia B (1991) Carbon partitioning in forage crops. Acta Biotheoretica 39, 213–224.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Engels C (1994) Effect of root and shoot meristem temperature on shoot to root dry matter partitioning and the internal concentrations of nitrogen and carbohydrates in maize and wheat. Annals of Botany 73, 211–219.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Fick GW, Onstad DW (1988) Statistical models for predicting alfalfa herbage quality from morphological or weather data. Journal of Production Agriculture 1, 160–166. open url image1

Gauch HG, Hwang JTG, Fick GW (2003) Model evaluation by comparison of model-based predictions and measured values. Agronomy Journal 95, 1442–1446. open url image1

Gosse G, Chartier M, Lemaire G (1984) Predictive model for a lucerne crop. Comptes Rendus de l’Academie des Sciences. III Sciences de la Vie 298, 541–544. open url image1

Goudriaan J , Laar HHv (1994) ‘Modelling potential crop growth processes: textbook with exercises.’ (Kluwer Academic Publishers: Dordrecht, The Netherlands)

Jones CA , Ritchie JT , Kiniry JR , Godwin DC (1986) Subroutine structure. In ‘CERES-Maize: A simulation model of maize growth and development’. (Eds CA Jones, JR Kiniry) pp. 49–194. (Texas A&M University Press: Texas, USA)

Khaiti M, Lemaire G (1992) Dynamics of shoot and root growth of lucerne after seeding and after cutting. European Journal of Agronomy 1, 241–247. open url image1

Kobayashi K, Salam M (2000) Comparing simulated and measured values using mean squared deviation and its components. Agronomy Journal 92, 345–352.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Lambers H , Atkin OK , Millenaar FF (1996) Respiratory patterns in roots in relation to their functioning. In ‘Plant roots: the hidden half’. (Eds Y Waisel, A Eshel, U Kafkafi) (Marcel Dekker Inc.: New York)

Lemaire G, Khaiti M, Onillon B, Allirand JM, Chartier M, Gosse G (1992) Dynamics of accumulation and partitioning of N in leaves, stems and roots of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in a dense canopy. Annals of Botany 70, 429–435.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Lemaire G, Millard P (1999) An ecophysiological approach to modelling resource fluxes in competing plants. Journal of Experimental Botany 50, 15–28.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Marcelis LFM, Heuvelink E, Goudriaan J (1998) Modelling biomass production and yield of horticultural crops: a review. Scientia Horticulturae 74, 83–111.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Michaud R , Lehman WR , Rumbaugh MD (1988) World distribution and historical development. In ‘Alfalfa and alfalfa improvement’. (Eds K Barnes, RR Hill Jr) (American Society of Agronomy: Madison, WI)

Monsi M, Saeki T (2005) On the factor light in plant communities and its importance for matter production. Annals of Botany 95, 549–567.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | open url image1

Monteith JL (1972) Solar radiation and productivity in tropical ecosystems. Journal of Applied Ecology 9, 747–766.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Reynolds JR, Smith D (1962) Trend of carbohydrate reserves in alfalfa, smooth bromegrass, and timothy grown under various cutting schedules. Crop Science 2, 333–336.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Robertson MJ, Carberry PS, Huth NI, Turpin JE, Probert ME, Poultron PL, Bell MJ, Wright GC, Yeates SJ, Brinsmead RB (2002) Simulation of growth and development of diverse legumes species in APSIM. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 53, 429–446.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Teixeira EI (2006) ‘Understanding growth and development of lucerne crops (Medicago sativa L.) with contrasting levels of perennial reserves.’ (Lincoln University: Canterbury, New Zealand)

Teixeira EI, Moot DJ, Brown HE (2008) Defoliation frequency and season affected radiation use efficiency and dry matter partitioning to roots of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) crops. European Journal of Agronomy 28, 103–111.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Teixeira EI, Moot DJ, Mickelbart MV (2007a) Seasonal patterns of root C and N reserves of lucerne crops (Medicago sativa L.) grown in a temperate climate were affected by defoliation regime. European Journal of Agronomy 26, 10–20.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Teixeira EI, Moot DJ, Pollock KJ, Brown HE (2007b) How does defoliation management affect yield, canopy forming processes and light interception in lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) crops? European Journal of Agronomy 27, 154–164.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Tjoelker MG, Oleksyn J, Reich PB (2001) Modelling respiration of vegetation: evidence for a general temperature-dependent Q 10. Global Change Biology 7, 223–230.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Volenec JJ, Cunningham SM, Haagenson DM, Berg WK, Joern BC, Wiersm DW (2002) Physiological genetics of alfalfa improvement: past failures, future prospects. Field Crops Research 75, 97–110.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Volenec JJ, Ourry A, Joern BC (1996) A role for nitrogen reserves in forage regrowth and stress tolerance. Physiologia Plantarum 97, 185–193.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Ziska LH, Bunce JA (1994) Direct and indirect inhibition of single leaf respiration by elevated CO2 concentrations: Interaction with temperature. Physiologia Plantarum 90, 130–138.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1