Summary
This paper presents CPlantBox, an open-source three-dimensional functional-structural plant model coupled with PiafMunch and DuMu^x modules to simulate mechanistically the feedback loops between plant development and soil–plant–atmosphere water and carbon fluxes. Using semi-mechanistic simulations of C3 monocots subjected to timed drought spells, the authors demonstrate that late-onset dry spells produce stronger reductions in water-use efficiency and available carbon for growth than early-onset spells, owing to temperature-driven increases in maintenance respiration. The model offers a potentially valuable tool for evaluating genotype–environment–management combinations under future climate scenarios, though validation against independent observations remains outstanding.
Regional applicability
The study is geographically non-specific, employing a generic C3 monocot model rather than UK-grown crops. Transferability to British arable conditions would require validation against observations from UK cereal production under realistic precipitation and temperature regimes, particularly given the model's current lack of independent observational validation.
Key measures
Instantaneous water-use efficiency, maintenance respiration, sucrose availability for growth, phenotypic plasticity responses to drought stress timing
Outcomes reported
The study simulated water and carbon fluxes in generic C3 monocots during atmospheric dry spells using a coupled three-dimensional functional-structural plant model, measuring instantaneous water-use efficiency, maintenance respiration, and carbon partitioning responses to drought timing.
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