Perennial plants in context

Characterizing the relationships within and between plants, their communities, and the soil in which they live

 
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Through root systems, plants connect above and belowground worlds, yet we lack the understanding of how these traits are governed

We aim to characterize how above and belowground traits vary across individuals, populations, species, communities, and sites. This information can be applied to accelerate breeding efforts (for perennial crops) and selection of suitably diverse germplasm (of wild species) to use in ecologically and functionally appropriate efforts to restore natural and agricultural ecosystems.

 
 
 

Foundational projects

Our projects pertain to three main themes that answer our overarching questions:

  1. Plant Organismal Systems (1.1, 1.2, and 1.3)

  2. Population and Community Ecology (2.1, 2.2, and 2.3)

  3. Soil Ecosphere (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4)

 
 

Project 1.1 - Root and shoot covariation

Is covariation between aboveground (shoot) and belowground (root) traits consistent across species? We leverage an existing experiment at Shaw Nature Reserve (Gray Summit, MO) to quantify above and belowground trait covariation in 11 perennial, herbaceous species and develop a new iPhone-based app for digital aboveground phenotyping.

Project 1.2 - Genome-Wide association study (gwas)

What is the genetic basis of root/shoot covariation? With seed derived in part from Project 1.1, we are establishing genome-wide association study (GWAS) populations. Root growth data is quantified over time with a new in field root phenotyping approach paired with shoot phenotyping and genetic data.

  • Lead - Stella Woeltjen (DDPSC)

  • Locations - Shaw Nature Reserve (Gray Summit, MO) and Fischer Farm (St. Charles, MO)

Project 1.3 - Population covariation

How is covariation in root and shoot traits distributed among populations within species? Researchers at the Chicago Botanic Garden are collecting wild populations of three species used in Projects 1.1, 1.2, and 2.1. Trait data will be collected on multiple lines of micropropagated plants to assess variation at each organizational level (clone, population, species).

Project 2.1 - Biodiversity-productivity relationships

Can above and belowground phenotypic variation predict coexistence, diversity, and community productivity? An existing NSF Dimensions of Biodiversity experiment in Lawrence, KS, houses communities of 1, 2, 3, or 6 of 18 perennial, herbaceous species representing our three focal plant families. We are collecting root and shoot trait data to link plant traits with community-level properties.

Project 2.2 - trait and competitive relationships

How does intraspecific variation in above and belowground traits modulate interspecific competitive relationships and biodiversity ecosystem function (BEF) relationships? Building on Project 1.3, are quantifying how intraspecific functional trait variation influences interspecific interactions in experimental polycultures.

Project 2.3 - traits in mono vs bicultures

Do root/shoot plant traits vary in monocultures vs. polycultures of perennial herbaceous species, and does this predict production? Moving from natural to agricultural systems, we established a foundational multi-site experiment with emerging perennial crops planted in mono and polycultures across precipitation and latitudinal gradients. Comprehensive above and belowground phenotyping will be conducted over multiple years.

Project 3.1 - effects of soil type

How does soil type influence root/shoot variation and covariation? We hope to determine which belowground soil processes influence plant communities. Additionally, we will test whether plant species and functional diversity modulates belowground processes. We are collecting data on soil physicochemical properties such as mycorrhizal productivity, carbon sequestration, nitrogen cycling, and microbiome composition and function for projects 1.2, 2.2, and 2.3.

Project 3.2 - the rhizosphere

Does variation in root/shoot traits within wild plant species predictably shape root microbiomes? Analyses of rhizosphere microbes of Project 1.1 plants will determine host-specific effects on microbiome diversity and composition.

Project 3.3 - the microbiome

How do soil/root microbiomes, including those sensitive to plant community diversity, impact host above and belowground traits? Inoculations from project 2.1 are being used in greenhouse experiments to assess root and shoot trait responses to plant community diversity effects on microbiomes.


Project 3.4 - soil ecosphere

How do monocultures and polycultures of perennial crops impact soil abiotic properties and soil community structure? How do soil communities differentiated by crop identity and diversity influence crop root/shoot traits? We are quantifying soil structure and composition data and microbial diversity in replicated mono and polyculture crop plots at the beginning and end of Project 2.3.

Emerging projects

In addition to the projects described above, our team is finding new questions to investigate to build off of previous findings. Scroll through the images to learn more about our emerging projects.

Research in action