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A meta-analysis of crop response patterns to nitrogen limitation for improved model representation

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  • Verena Seufert
  • Gustaf Granath
  • Christoph Müller

Abstract

The representation of carbon-nitrogen (N) interactions in global models of the natural or managed land surface remains an important knowledge gap. To improve global process-based models we require a better understanding of how N limitation affects photosynthesis and plant growth. Here we present the findings of a meta-analysis to quantitatively assess the impact of N limitation on source (photosynthate production) versus sink (photosynthate use) activity, based on 77 highly controlled experimental N availability studies on 11 crop species. Using meta-regressions, we find that it can be insufficient to represent N limitation in models merely as inhibiting carbon assimilation, because in crops complete N limitation more strongly influences leaf area expansion (-50%) than photosynthesis (-34%), while leaf starch is accumulating (+83%). Our analysis thus offers support for the hypothesis of sink limitation of photosynthesis and encourages the exploration of more sink-driven crop modelling approaches. We also show that leaf N concentration changes with N availability and that the allocation of N to Rubisco is reduced more strongly compared to other photosynthetic proteins at low N availability. Furthermore, our results suggest that different crop species show generally similar response patterns to N limitation, with the exception of leguminous crops, which respond differently. Our meta-analysis offers lessons for the improved depiction of N limitation in global terrestrial ecosystem models, as well as highlights knowledge gaps that need to be filled by future experimental studies on crop N limitation response.

Suggested Citation

  • Verena Seufert & Gustaf Granath & Christoph Müller, 2019. "A meta-analysis of crop response patterns to nitrogen limitation for improved model representation," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(10), pages 1-25, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0223508
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223508
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peter B. Reich & Sarah E. Hobbie & Tali Lee & David S. Ellsworth & Jason B. West & David Tilman & Johannes M. H. Knops & Shahid Naeem & Jared Trost, 2006. "Nitrogen limitation constrains sustainability of ecosystem response to CO2," Nature, Nature, vol. 440(7086), pages 922-925, April.
    2. Viechtbauer, Wolfgang, 2010. "Conducting Meta-Analyses in R with the metafor Package," Journal of Statistical Software, Foundation for Open Access Statistics, vol. 36(i03).
    3. Stehfest, Elke & Heistermann, Maik & Priess, Joerg A. & Ojima, Dennis S. & Alcamo, Joseph, 2007. "Simulation of global crop production with the ecosystem model DayCent," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 209(2), pages 203-219.
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