Disentangling the Heterosis in Biomass Production and Radiation Use Efficiency in Maize: A Phytomer-Based 3D Modelling Approach.

Abstract

Maize ( Zea mays L.) benefits from heterosis in-yield formation and photosynthetic efficiency through optimizing canopy structure and improving leaf photosynthesis. However, the role of canopy structure and photosynthetic capacity in determining heterosis in biomass production and radiation use efficiency has not been separately clarified. We developed a quantitative framework based on a phytomer-based three-dimensional canopy photosynthesis model and simulated light capture and canopy photosynthetic production in scenarios with and without heterosis in either canopy structure or leaf photosynthetic capacity. The accumulated above-ground biomass of Jingnongke728 was 39% and 31% higher than its male parent, Jing2416, and female parent, JingMC01, while accumulated photosynthetically active radiation was 23% and 14% higher, correspondingly, leading to an increase of 13% and 17% in radiation use efficiency. The increasing post-silking radiation use efficiency was mainly attributed to leaf photosynthetic improvement, while the dominant contributing factor differs for male and female parents for heterosis in post-silking yield formation. This quantitative framework illustrates the potential to identify the key traits related to yield and radiation use efficiency and helps breeders to make selections for higher yield and photosynthetic efficiency.

Plant phenotyping relevance

植物体のキャノピー構造・光合成・バイオマスを推定する phytomer ベース3Dモデルと定量的枠組みの開発が中心であり、単なる生物学的測定ではない。

Code and data availability

The article describes 3D digitized maize phenotyping and an R-based canopy photosynthesis model, but contains no data or code availability statement, no public repository deposit, and no author-provided URL for datasets, images, or software. The only URL present is the CC BY license link, which is not a paper-specific

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