On the pivotal role of water potential to model plant physiological processes

Abstract Water potential explains water transport in the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum (SPAC), and is gaining interest as connecting variable between ‘pedo-, bio- atmosphere’. It primarily used to simulate hydraulics SPAC, thus essential for studying drought effects. Recent implementations of large-scale terrestrial biosphere models (TBMs) improved their performance under water-limited conditions, while hydraulic features recent detailed functional–structural plant (FSPMs) open new possibilities dissecting complex traits tolerance. These developments across scales deserve a critical appraisal evaluate its wider use FSPMs, but also crop systems (CSMs), where are currently still absent. After refreshing physical basis, we first address describing along transpiration pathway from soil leaves, through roots, xylem leaf mesophyll. Then, highlight three ecophysiological processes, which have well-recognized links potential: phloem transport, stomatal conductance organ growth. We identify bridge soil, root shoot models, physiological integrating below- above-ground abiotic drivers, link status Models making these connections enable identifying crucial ecosystem resilience breeding towards tolerance crops. Including often increases model complexity, requires experimental data on hydraulics. Nevertheless, modelling insightful at different (FSPMs, CSMs TBMs).