Abstract
Background and Aims: Failure to account for the variation of kernel growth in a cereal crop simulation model may cause serious deviations in the estimates of crop yield. The goal of this research was to revise the GREENLAB-Maize model to incorporate source- and sink-limited allocation approaches to simulate the dry matter accumulation of individual kernels of an ear (GREENLAB-Maize-Kernel). Methods: The model used potential individual kernel growth rates to characterize the individual potential sink demand. The remobilization of non-structural carbohydrates from reserve organs to kernels was also incorporated. Two years of field experiments were conducted to determine the model parameter values and to evaluate the model using two maize hybrids with different plant densities and pollination treatments. Detailed observations were made on the dimensions and dry weights of individual kernels and other above-ground plant organs throughout the seasons. Key Results: Three basic traits characterizing an individual kernel were compared on simulated and measured individual kernels: (1) final kernel size; (2) kernel growth rate; and (3) duration of kernel filling. Simulations of individual kernel growth closely corresponded to experimental data. The model was able to reproduce the observed dry weight of plant organs well. Then, the source-sink dynamics and the remobilization of carbohydrates for kernel growth were quantified to show that remobilization processes accompanied source-sink dynamics during the kernel-filling process. Conclusions: We conclude that the model may be used to explore options for optimizing plant kernel yield by matching maize management to the environment, taking into account responses at the level of individual kernels.
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Claims 4
Claim · model-written summary
Simulated individual kernel growth closely matched experimental data.
Zea maysOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Simulations of individual kernel growth closely corresponded to experimental data”
t0“Maize”
Claim · model-written summary
The model reproduced observed plant-organ dry weight well.
Not reportedDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“The model was able to reproduce the observed dry weight of plant organs well”
t0“Maize”
Claim · model-written summary
Quantification showed that carbohydrate remobilization accompanied source–sink dynamics during kernel filling.
- Organ / stage
- kernel-filling processe0
- Outcome
- remobilization processes accompanied source-sink dynamicse0
Not reportedDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“the source-sink dynamics and the remobilization of carbohydrates for kernel growth were quantified to show that remobilization processes accompanied source-sink dynamics during the kernel-filling process”
t0“Maize”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors conclude the model may help explore management options for optimizing maize kernel yield.
- Outcome
- explore options for optimizing plant kernel yielde0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“the model may be used to explore options for optimizing plant kernel yield by matching maize management to the environment”
t0“Maize”