The ecologically relevant genetics of plant–plant interactions

Abstract

Interactions among plants have been long recognized as a major force driving plant community dynamics and crop yield. Surprisingly, our knowledge of the ecological genetics associated with variation of plant–plant interactions remains limited. In this opinion article by scientists from complementary disciplines, the international PLANTCOM network identified four timely questions to foster a better understanding of the mechanisms mediating plant assemblages. We propose that by identifying the key relationships among phenotypic traits involved in plant–plant interactions and the underlying adaptive genetic and molecular pathways, while considering environmental fluctuations at diverse spatial and time scales, we can improve predictions of genotype-by-genotype-by-environment interactions and modeling of productive and stable plant assemblages in wild habitats and crop fields.