WP5 has the two-fold objective to:
- Develop a theoretical framework for analysing the Root System Architecture (RSA) phenotypic data generated by the project and for acquiring a quantitative understanding of the mechanisms underlying plant responses to multiple abiotic stresses, for structures and functions of root systems.
- Use models to help making a hierarchy between signals and processes involved in RSA plasticity and to provide improved target traits to translate knowledge on RSA development and root functions into crop breeding strategies.
To reach these objectives the WP5 will:
- Develop methods for the analysis and interpretation of RSA data generated by other workpackages (e.g. temporal data on whole root system architecture grown in Rhizotrons);
- Develop and calibrate predictive models incorporating root/soil processes and mechanisms of adaptation to explain plant performance under a range of abiotic stresses;
- Carry out simulation studies to explore what RSA developmental patterns and crop traits confer the maximum resilience to abiotic stresses;
The construction of models will be supported by 1) the availability of large root phenotyping datasets covering a range of genotypes and soil conditions (WP4); 2) high-resolution multi-stresses physiological experiments to validate functional models on a limited set of genotypes and soil conditions (WP2-4).
The deliverables for this workpackage can be found here
