Process-Based Simulation Models Are Essential Tools for Virtual Profiling and Design of Ideotypes: Example of Fruit and Root

Process-based simulation models (PBSMs) combine, in various mathematical frameworks, many biological functional hypotheses on responses of plant processes to environmental fluctuations. Model simulated responses can be analysed in the context of adapting the current agricultural systems to the changing environment. From loads of simulations made with various cultural practices, these models allow the virtual profiling of plants and a mere analysis of how processes interact when crops are perturbed by one or several changes. They allow also describing the development of plant traits as a consequence of environmental and genetic conditions. Such knowledge is required to decipher the genotype × environment × management (G × E × M) interactions so as to build genotypes adapted to particular conditions, i.e., plant ideotypes. Two PBSMs dealing with (1) fruit quality and sensitivity to diseases and (2) root system architecture, respectively, are shortly described in this chapter. These models have been used to analyse various fruit and root properties, to deconvolute G × E × M interactions and to identify ecophysiological traits related to crop yield improvement, root foraging performance and fruit quality. PBSMs appear to be powerful tools to phenotype plants at the process level in a comprehensive and “costless” way.