Highlights • Root architecture is not sufficient to infer the functional performance.• Water uptake efficiency of root systems is a function of specific hydrological conditions.• Root depth is the key trait if rainfall is mainly antecedent to the growing season.• Dense root systems perform better if water supply comes from in-season rainfall.

中文翻译：

---

根系结构的多样性能否解释植物水分利用效率？建模研究

亮点 • 根系结构不足以推断功能性能。• 根系的吸水效率是特定水文条件的函数。• 如果降雨主要在生长季节之前，根深是关键特征。• 密集的根系执行如果供水来自季节性降雨，效果会更好。