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Peer-reviewedCC BYPlant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)

Exploring the Transcriptional Responses of Wheat to Sowing Density and Cultivar Mixtures

  • Laura Mathieu1
  • Amandine Chloup1
  • Louis Gicquelet2
  • Justin Savajols1
  • Pierre Roumet3
  • Jean‐Benoît Morel1
  • Martin Ecarnot3
  • Elsa Ballini2
  1. 1PHIM Plant Health Institute, Univ Montpellier, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD Montpellier France
  2. 2PHIM Plant Health Institute, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, Institut Agro, INRAE, IRD Montpellier France
  3. 3UMR AGAP Institut, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro Montpellier France
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Abstract

Cultivar mixtures enhance diversity in fields, offering multiple agronomic benefits while remaining compatible with mechanized agriculture. However, mechanization introduces limitations, such as sowing density, which can influence crop yield. In order to assess the impact of agricultural practices on the plant physiological state, targeted gene expression analysis provides a useful approach. The molecular responses of crops to sowing density and varietal mixtures, particularly in wheat, remain poorly explored. In this study, we examined the transcriptional responses of two binary mixtures of wheat cultivars grown at two sowing densities over two years in semi‐controlled mesocosm conditions, using RT‐qPCR. Despite notable year‐to‐year variation in gene expression, consistent transcriptional trends were identified. Sowing density significantly influenced gene expression, particularly in pathways related to carbon metabolism, with cultivar‐specific effects. Interactions between sowing density and cultivar mixtures were also observed, with different gene expression patterns across wheat cultivars. While the direct influence of cultivar mixtures on gene expression was limited, three specific genes—particularly in durum wheat—were differentially regulated under mixture conditions. These findings indicate that external environmental factors play a dominant role in shaping gene expression, but the molecular effects of sowing density and varietal diversity should be further considered to optimize sustainable agricultural practices.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{mathieu2026exploring,
  title = {{Exploring the Transcriptional Responses of Wheat to Sowing Density and Cultivar Mixtures}},
  author = {Laura Mathieu and Amandine Chloup and Louis Gicquelet and Justin Savajols and Pierre Roumet and Jean‐Benoît Morel and Martin Ecarnot and Elsa Ballini},
  journal = {Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1002/pei3.70203},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722896},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Exploring the Transcriptional Responses of Wheat to Sowing Density and Cultivar Mixtures
AU  - Laura Mathieu
AU  - Amandine Chloup
AU  - Louis Gicquelet
AU  - Justin Savajols
AU  - Pierre Roumet
AU  - Jean‐Benoît Morel
AU  - Martin Ecarnot
AU  - Elsa Ballini
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/30
JO  - Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)
DO  - 10.1002/pei3.70203
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722896
AB  - Cultivar mixtures enhance diversity in fields, offering multiple agronomic benefits while remaining compatible with mechanized agriculture. However, mechanization introduces limitations, such as sowing density, which can influence crop yield. In order to assess the impact of agricultural practices on the plant physiological state, targeted gene expression analysis provides a useful approach. The molecular responses of crops to sowing density and varietal mixtures, particularly in wheat, remain poorly explored. In this study, we examined the transcriptional responses of two binary mixtures of wheat cultivars grown at two sowing densities over two years in semi‐controlled mesocosm conditions, using RT‐qPCR. Despite notable year‐to‐year variation in gene expression, consistent transcriptional trends were identified. Sowing density significantly influenced gene expression, particularly in pathways related to carbon metabolism, with cultivar‐specific effects. Interactions between sowing density and cultivar mixtures were also observed, with different gene expression patterns across wheat cultivars. While the direct influence of cultivar mixtures on gene expression was limited, three specific genes—particularly in durum wheat—were differentially regulated under mixture conditions. These findings indicate that external environmental factors play a dominant role in shaping gene expression, but the molecular effects of sowing density and varietal diversity should be further considered to optimize sustainable agricultural practices.
SN  - 2575-6265
ER  -