Ben Gurion University Midreshet Ben Gurion, Israel
Abstract: Competition plays a crucial role in plant distribution in natural populations, with self and non-self-recognition influencing the below-ground interactions. Changes in carbon metabolism, including photosynthesis, leaf respiration, and root biomass allocation, can occur in response to the presence and identity of neighbouring plants. Discrimination between the roots of the same individual and another individual may reduce competition and allow greater resource availability for other functions, such as reproduction. However, the mechanisms associated with competitive discrimination in crop species remain unknown. The study explored root communications within the Solanaceae family of crops, including cherry, field tomatoes, and bell pepper. The study aims to investigate the responses of these crops under different degrees of relatedness based on changes in carbon allocation patterns vectored by roots, shoots, rhizodeposits, and respiration. Rhizoslide experiment, a paper-based growth system, was used to grow two plants on each slide. These plants were either from the same species, different species, or different varieties. The results showed that distant relatives of plants exhibited an increase in root respiration, whereas root growth increased due to identifying neighbours. The study also revealed that tomatoes were a 'costly' neighbour to bell pepper, while bell pepper was a 'beneficial' neighbour in increasing tomatoes' performance. However, the benefits observed remain different for each tomato type. The second study investigated the interactions between cherry tomato and bell pepper. Planting cherry tomato alongside bell pepper increased photosynthesis, plant height, and biomass of cherry tomato and caused better growth, but the opposite to bell pepper. To further examine the interactions between cherry tomato and bell pepper under both control and stress conditions, pot and field experiments will be conducted to clarify the carbon metabolism costs and potential benefits of self/non-self recognition in plants. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into root communications in crop species and highlights the importance of understanding the mechanisms involved in competitive discrimination. The results can guide the development of strategies to improve crop yields and select beneficial neighbours, thereby contributing to sustainable agriculture.
