Research Article | Open Access

Volume 2022 |Article ID 9758148 | https://doi.org/10.34133/2022/9758148

3dCAP-Wheat: An Open-Source Comprehensive Computational Framework Precisely Quantifies Wheat Foliar, Nonfoliar, and Canopy Photosynthesis

Tian-Gen Chang,¹ Zai Shi,¹ Honglong Zhao,¹ Qingfeng Song,¹ Zhonghu He,^2,3 Jeroen Van Rie,⁴ Bart Den Boer,⁴ Alexander Galle,⁴ and Xin-Guang Zhu iD ¹

¹National Key Laboratory for Plant Molecular Genetics, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
²Insitute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
³International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) China Office, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
⁴BASF Belgium Coordination Center-Innovation Center Gent, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 101, 9052 Gent, Belgium

Abstract

Canopy photosynthesis is the sum of photosynthesis of all above-ground photosynthetic tissues. Quantitative roles of nonfoliar tissues in canopy photosynthesis remain elusive due to methodology limitations. Here, we develop the first complete canopy photosynthesis model incorporating all above-ground photosynthetic tissues and validate this model on wheat with state-of-the-art gas exchange measurement facilities. The new model precisely predicts wheat canopy gas exchange rates at different growth stages, weather conditions, and canopy architectural perturbations. Using the model, we systematically study (1) the contribution of both foliar and nonfoliar tissues to wheat canopy photosynthesis and (2) the responses of wheat canopy photosynthesis to plant physiological and architectural changes. We found that (1) at tillering, heading, and milking stages, nonfoliar tissues can contribute ~4, ~32, and ~50% of daily gross canopy photosynthesis (; ~2, ~15, and ~-13% of daily net canopy photosynthesis, ) and absorb ~6, ~42, and ~60% of total light, respectively; (2) under favorable condition, increasing spike photosynthetic activity, rather than enlarging spike size or awn size, can enhance canopy photosynthesis; (3) covariation in tissue respiratory rate and photosynthetic rate may be a major factor responsible for less than expected increase in daily ; and (4) in general, erect leaves, lower spike position, shorter plant height, and proper plant densities can benefit daily . Overall, the model, together with the facilities for quantifying plant architecture and tissue gas exchange, provides an integrated platform to study canopy photosynthesis and support rational design of photosynthetically efficient wheat crops.