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Perennial plants allocate more resources belowground, thus sustaining important ecosystem services. Hence, shifting from annual to perennial crops has been advocated towards a more sustainable agriculture. Nevertheless, wild perennial species have lower seed production than selected annuals, raising the questions of whether there is a fundamental trade‐off between reproductive effort and life span, and whether such trade‐off can be overcome through selection. In order to address these questions and to isolate life span from phylogenetic and environmental factors, we conducted a meta‐analysis encompassing c. 3000 congeneric annual/perennial pairs from 28 genera. This meta‐analysis is complemented with a minimalist model of long‐term productivity in perennial species. Perennials allocate more resources belowground and less to seeds than congeneric annuals, independently of selection history. However, existing perennial wheat and rice could achieve yields similar to annuals if they survived three years and each year doubled their biomass, as other perennial grasses do. Selected perennial crops maintain the large belowground allocation of wild perennials, and thus can provide desired regulatory ecosystem services. To match the seed yield of annuals, biomass production of perennial grains must be increased to amounts attained by some perennial grasses – if this goal can be met, perennial crops can provide a more sustainable alternative to annuals.

All plant species require at least 16 elements for their growth and survival but the relative requirements and the variability at different organizational scales is not well understood. We use a fertiliser experiment with six willow (Salix spp.) genotypes to evaluate a methodology based on Euclidian distances for stoichiometric analysis of the variability in leaf nutrient relations of twelve of those (C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, S, Fe, Zn, B, Cu) plus Na and Al. Differences in availability of the elements in the environment was the major driver of variation. Variability between leaves within a plant or between individuals of the same genotype growing in close proximity was as large as variability between genotypes. Elements could be grouped by influence on growth: N, P, S and Mn concentrations follow each other and increase with growth rate; K, Ca and Mg uptake follow the increase in biomass; but uptake of Fe, B, Zn and Al seems to be limited. The position of Cu lies between the first two groups. Only for Na is there a difference in element concentrations between genotypes. The three groups of elements can be associated with different biochemical functions.

Intercropping of two or more species on the same piece of land can enhance biodiversity and resource use efficiency in agriculture. Traditionally, intercropping systems have been developed and improved by empirical methods within a specific local context. To support the development of promising intercropping systems, the individual species that are part of an intercrop can be subjected to breeding. Breeding for intercropping aims at resource foraging traits of the admixed species to maximize niche complementarity, niche facilitation, and intercrop performance. The breeding process can be facilitated by modeling tools that simulate the outcome of the combination of different species’ (or genotypes’) traits for growth and yield development, reducing the need of extensive field testing. Here, we revisit the challenges associated with breeding for intercropping, and give an outlook on applying crop growth models to assist breeding for intercropping. We conclude that crop growth models can assist breeding for intercropping, provided that (i) they incorporate the relevant plant features and mechanisms driving interspecific plant–plant interactions; (ii) they are based on model parameters that are closely linked to the traits that breeders would select for; and (iii) model calibration and validation is done with field data measured in intercrops. Minimalist crop growth models are more likely to incorporate the above elements than comprehensive but parameter-intensive crop growth models. Their lower complexity and reduced parameter requirement facilitate the exploration of mechanisms at play and fulfil the model requirements for calibration of the appropriate crop growth models.

Nutrient elements are important for plant growth. Element stoichiometry considers the balance between different nutrients and how this balance is affected by the environment. So far, focus of plant stoichiometry has mainly been on the three elements carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P), but many additional elements are essential for proper plant growth. Our overall aim is to test the scaling relations of various additional elements (K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn), by using ten data sets from a range of plant functional types and environmental conditions. To simultaneously handle more than one element, we define a stoichiometric niche volume as the volume of an abstract multidimensional shape in dimensions, with the sides of this shape defined by the plant properties in question, here their element concentrations. Thus, a stoichiometric niche volume is here defined as the product of element concentrations. The volumes of N and P ( ) are used as the basis, and we investigate how the volume of other elements ( ) scales with respect to with the intention to explore if the concentrations of other elements increase faster (scaling exponent > 1) or slower (<1) than the concentrations of N and P. For example, scaling exponents >1 suggest that favorable conditions for plant growth, i.e., environments rich in N and P, may require proportionally higher uptake of other essential elements than poor conditions. We show that the scaling exponent is rather insensitive to environmental conditions or plant species, and ranges from 0.900 to 2.479 (average 1.58) in nine out of ten data sets. For single elements, Mg has the smallest scaling exponent (0.031) and Mn the largest (2.147). Comparison between laboratory determined stoichiometric relations and field observations suggest that element uptake in field conditions often exceeds the minimal physiological requirements. The results provide evidence for the view that the scaling relations previously reported for N and P can be extended to other elements; and that N and P are the driving elements in plant stoichiometric relations. The stoichiometric niche volumes defined here could be used to predict plant performances in different environments.

Assessment of crop nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is important in agricultural research. Various approaches exist to analyze NUE. A recently proposed NUE concept is further developed and a calculation tool for practical use presented. A critical component in the NUE concept is the plants’ mean nitrogen (N) content during the main growth period (N’). The N’ is delimited by the critical crop phenology stages initiating and terminating accelerated crop N uptake. Especially when experimental treatments and/or crop cultivars cause great variation in phenology, it is often not feasible to perform destructive plant harvests at the critical phenology stages for all treatments and cultivars, which may result in inaccurate estimates of N’ and, ultimately, the NUE components N uptake efficiency and yield-specific N efficiency. A method is proposed to accurately calculate the crop N contents at the relevant critical phenology stages even when sampling is made at other time points. The only requirements are two separate destructive plant harvests performed within the main growth period, together with the time points for the critical phenology events. The method was exemplified using data from wheat and the perennial energy crop Salix, and an electronic calculation tool for the various NUE components is provided.

Cereal–legume mixtures are often associated with higher yields than the components grown as sole crops, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The study aims to evaluate how different cultivars in a two-species wheat–faba bean mixture influence above- and below-ground nitrogen (N) accumulation in the plant biomass, whether crop mixing affected the accumulation of other nutrients relative to the accumulation of N and phosphorus (P), and how the nutrient accumulation pattern in sole crops and mixtures is influenced by weed competition. Using a growth container experiment, we investigate nutrient accumulation patterns on specific wheat and faba bean cultivars grown as sole crops and mixtures, and with and without weed competition. We found that cereals in the mixture accumulated more N than in the sole crops, and the cultivar used influenced biomass accumulation in the legumes. Competition from weeds reduced the amount of plant N pools accumulated in the crop plant biomass. Based on stoichiometric scaling exponents, the plant neighbor affected the accumulation of other nutrients relative to the accumulation of N and P. These results are relevant for species and cultivar selection, all of which are important prerequisites for maximizing mixture performance.

Modern crop production is characterized by high nitrogen (N) application rates, which can influence the co-limitation of harvested yield by other nutrients. Using a multidimensional niche volume concept and scaling exponents frequently applied in plant ecological research, we report that increased N and phosphorus (P) uptake in a growing wheat crop along with enhanced grain biomass is associated with more than proportional increase of other nutrients. Furthermore, N conversion efficiency and grain yield are strongly affected by the magnesium (Mg) to P ratio in the growing crop. We analyzed a field trial in Central Sweden including nine wheat varieties grown during two years with contrasting weather, and found evidence for Mg co-limitation at lower grain yields and P co-limitation at higher yields. We argue that critical concentrations of single nutrients, which are often applied in agronomy, should be replaced by nutrient ratios. In addition, links between plant P and Mg contents and root traits were found; high root number enhanced the P:N ratio, whilst steep root angle, indicating deep roots, increased the Mg:N ratio. The results have significant implications on the management and breeding targets of agriculturally grown wheat, which is one of the most important food crops worldwide.

Root morphology of agricultural crops plays a crucial role in crop resilience and early vigor, especially under the increasingly challenging environmental conditions associated with global climate change. This study aims to link root morphology types in six spring wheat genotypes to seedling establishment and stress responses under drought, suboptimal temperature (10°C), and low-temperature (7°C) conditions, providing insights for breeding programs aimed at enhancing early vigor. We quantified early vigor-related root traits (root length and diameter) using a non-invasive phenotyping method, while PPD-D1 and VRN-1 genes were analyzed to explore genetic influences on early root development. Results revealed considerable genotypic variation in root length. Stress at both 7°C and 10°C accentuated these differences, with the genotype ‘Dacke’ showing a reduced root length under low-temperature stress. Root diameter responses also varied significantly, with the genotypes ‘Bjarne’ and ‘Dacke’ developing thicker roots than ‘Diskett’ and ‘KWS Alderon’. Genotypic analysis revealed variations in PPD-D1 alleles, with ‘Bjarne’ carrying the photoperiod-insensitive allele ( Ppd-D1a ), which facilitated early root development as reflected in increased root length, while the other genotypes carried the photoperiod-sensitive allele ( ppd-D1b ). Genotyping of VRN-A1 , VRN-B1 , and VRN-D1 revealed allele combinations associated with a facultative growth habit in all genotypes that were originally classified as spring wheat. This suggests that these genotypes retain some responsiveness to vernalization, despite being used as spring types in practice. These findings highlight the genetic basis of early vigor and root adaptation under stress conditions, providing valuable insights for targeted breeding aimed at improving stress adaptation and resilience in variable climates.

Roots play a pivotal role in the adaption of a plant to its environment, with different root traits adapting the plant to different stresses. The environment affects the Root System Architecture (RSA), but the genetic factors determine to what extent, and whether stress brought about by extreme environmental conditions is detrimental to a specific crop. This study aimed to identify differences in winter wheat RSA caused by cultivation region and practice, in the form of preceding crop (precrop), and to identify if modern cultivars used in Sweden differ in their reaction to these environments. This was undertaken using high-throughput phenotyping to assess the RSA. Clear differences in the RSA were observed between the Swedish cultivation regions, precrop treatments, and interaction of these conditions with each other and the genetics. Julius showed a large difference between cultivars, with 9.3–17.1% fewer and 12–20% narrower seminal roots. Standardized yield decreased when grown after wheat, 23% less compared to oilseed rape (OSR), and when grown in the Southern region, 14% less than the Central region. Additionally, correlations were shown between the root number, angle, and grain yield, with different root types being correlated depending on the precrop. Cultivars on the Swedish market show differences that can be adapted to the region-precrop combinations. The differences in precrop effect on RSA between regions show global implications and a need for further assessment. Correlations between RSA and yield, based on root-type × precrop, indicate different needs of the RSA depending on the management practices and show the potential for improving crop yield through targeting genotypic and environmental conditions in a holistic manner. Understanding this RSA variance, and the mechanisms of conditional response, will allow targeted cultivar breeding for specific environments, increasing plant health and food security.

Phosphorus is one of the most important nutrients required for plant growth and development. However, owing to its low availability in the soil, phosphorus is also one of the most difficult elements for plants to acquire. Phosphorus released into the soil from bedrock quickly becomes unavailable to plants, forming poorly soluble complexes. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) can solubilize unavailable phosphorus-containing compounds into forms in which phosphorus is readily available, thus promoting plant growth. In this study, two willow species, Salix dasyclados cv. Loden and Salix schwerinii × Salix viminalis cv. Tora, were inoculated with two selected bacterial strains, Pantoea agglomerans and Paenibacillus spp., to evaluate the plant growth parameters and changes in gene expression in the presence of different concentrations of tricalcium phosphate: 0 mM (NP), 1 mM (LP), and 2 mM (HP). Inoculation with PSB increased root, shoot and leaf biomass, and for the HP treatment, significant changes in growth patterns were observed. However, the growth responses to plant treatments tested depended on the willow species. Analysis of the leaf transcriptomes of the phosphate-solubilizing bacterium-inoculated plants showed a large variation in gene expression between the two willow species. For the Tora willow species, upregulation of genes was observed, particularly for those involved in pathways related to photosynthesis, and this effect was strongly influenced by bacterial phosphate solubilization. The Loden willow species was characterized by a general downregulation of genes involved in pathway activity that included ion transport, transcription regulation and chromosomes. The results obtained in this study provide an improved understanding of the dynamics of Salix growth and gene expression under the influence of PSB, contributing to an increase in yield and phosphorus-use efficiency.