Decoding living systems: Reassessing crop model frontiers via biological dynamics and optimized phenotype
Fig 8
Optimized ideotype performance across four environments characterized by the intersection of soil water retention (high to low) and precipitation regime (815 mm in the south vs. 540 mm in the north).
The optimization identified two distinct adaptive strategies: extended growth exploiting favorable conditions (Env 1) and drought-escape phenology under water limitation (Env 2–4). Reproductive parameters remained stable across environments while phenological coefficients required environment-specific tuning—consistent with the hierarchical parameter control identified through sensitivity analysis. Complete genetic coefficients are reported in S3 Table (Supplementary Material). Base map layers (coastlines and administrative boundaries) were derived from publicly available datasets distributed with MATLAB Mapping Toolbox and are compatible with CC BY 4.0 licensing. Environmental classification and data layers were adapted from Correa et al. (2025), published under a CC BY license [25]. Map generated using MATLAB R2024b with Mapping Toolbox and Image Processing Toolbox.