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‘Chardonnay’ paired with leaf economics traits and a side of soil compaction
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  • Adam Martin,
  • Rachel Mariani,
  • Kimberley Cathline,
  • Michael Duncan,
  • Nicholas Paroshy,
  • Gavin Robertson
Adam Martin
University of Toronto Scarborough

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Rachel Mariani
University of Toronto Scarborough
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Kimberley Cathline
Niagara College
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Michael Duncan
Niagara College
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Nicholas Paroshy
University of Guelph
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Gavin Robertson
Niagara College
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Abstract

Functional trait variation in plants of the same species or genotype are a critical determinant of ecosystem processes, especially in agroecosystems where single crop species or genotypes exist in very high abundances. Yet to date only a small number of studies have evaluated if, how, or why traits forming the Leaf Economics Spectrum (LES) vary within crops, despite such studies informing our understanding of: 1) the environmental factors that drive crop LES trait variation; and 2) how domestication has altered LES traits in crops vs. wild plants. We assess intragenotype variation in LES traits in wine grape variety ‘Chardonnay’ (Vitis vinifera)—among the world’s most commercially important crops, across a soil compaction gradient: one of the most prominent characteristics of agricultural soils that may drive crop trait variation. ‘Chardonnay’ traits covary along an intragenotype LES in patterns that were qualitatively similar to, though statistically distinguishable from, those observed among wild plants: resource acquiring vines expressed a combination of high mass-based photosynthesis (Amass), mass-based dark respiration (Rmass), leaf nitrogen concentrations (N), coupled with low leaf mass per area (LMA); the opposite set of trait values defined the resource conserving end of the ‘Chardonnay’ LES. Traits related to resource acquisition (Amass, Rmass, and leaf N) declined with greater bulk density, while traits related to investment in leaf construction costs (LMA) increased with greater bulk density. Compared to wild plants, ‘Chardonnay’ expressed lower Rmass for a given rate of Amass, and an unexpected positive covariation between leaf carbon (C) concentrations and Rmass, Amass, and leaf N. Our findings uncover a deeper understanding of both the domestication syndromes in grapevines, and expand our understanding of trait-based crop responses to environmental change and gradients.