Coupled Gas-Exchange Model for C₄ Leaves Comparing Stomatal Conductance Models

Area of Science:

• Plant Physiology
• Computational Biology
• Ecology

Background:

• Plant simulation models are crucial for understanding environmental responses.
• Coupled leaf gas-exchange models are essential for accurate plant simulations.
• Stomatal control links photosynthesis and transpiration, impacting plant growth and water relations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a coupled gas-exchange model for C4 leaves.
• To incorporate and compare the Ball-Berry and Medlyn stomatal conductance submodels.
• To assess model performance under various environmental conditions.

Main Methods:

• Developed a novel coupled gas-exchange model for C4 leaves in Julia.
• Integrated Ball-Berry and Medlyn stomatal conductance submodels.
• Tested model sensitivity and behavior across a range of environmental variables.

Main Results:

• The model demonstrated reliable performance across diverse environmental conditions.
• Significant deviations between Ball-Berry and Medlyn submodels were observed under low humidity.
• The model accurately replicated transgenic C4 leaf behavior at moderate temperatures but underestimated stomatal conductance at high temperatures.

Conclusions:

• The developed C4 leaf gas-exchange model offers a reliable tool for plant simulation.
• Stomatal submodel choice impacts model predictions, particularly under water stress.
• Limitations exist at high temperatures, likely due to recursive coupling in Ball-Berry type models.