Stomatal conductance reduction tradeoffs in maize leaves: A theoretical study

• DOI: 10.1111/pce.14821
• Publication Date: 2024-02-02T12:58:46Z
• Authors: Antriksh Srivastava; Venkatraman Srini...; Stephen P. Long
• Keywords: Water Use Efficiency; Stomatal Conductance; Canopy conductance; Water use

Abstract As the leading global grain crop, maize significantly impacts agricultural water usage. Presently, photosynthesis () in leaves of modern crops is saturated with , implying that reducing stomatal conductance would not affect but reduce transpiration (), thereby increasing use efficiency (WUE). While reduction benefits upper canopy under optimal conditions, tradeoffs low light and nitrogen‐deficient nonoptimal microenvironments remain unexplored. Moreover, increases leaf temperature vapor pressure deficit, partially counteracting transpiratory savings. Therefore, overall impact on savings remains unclear. Here, we a process‐based model to investigate reduced different microenvironments. Our findings show due can diminish WUE gains by up 20%. However, still results beneficial tradeoffs, where 29% decrease 28% gain without loss . Lower exhibit superior 178% simulations these are resilient climate change.