Abstract
A model has been designed to simulate rubber seedling root development as related to assimilate availability. Each root of the system is defined both as an element of a network of axes, characterized by its order, position and connections and as an individual sink competing for assimilates. At each time step, the growth of each root is calculated as a function of its own growth potential and of assimilate availability calculated within the whole plant. The potential elongation rate of a root is estimated by its apical diameter, which reflects the size of the meristem. When a root is initiated, the apical diameter depends on root type, but it varies thereafter according to assimilate availability. Thus, the latter controls both current and potential elongation. The model was able to simulate periodicity in root development as related to shoot growth and to reproduce differences in sensitivity to assimilate availability related to root type. It thereby validated the hypothesis that root growth but also root system architecture depend on assimilate allocation and that apical diameter is a good indicator of root growth potential. Provided that specific calibration is done, this model may be used for other species.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aguirrezabal L A N, Deléens E and Tardieu F 1994 Root elongation rate is accounted for by intercepted PPFD and source-sink relations in field and laboratory-grown sunflower. Plant Cell Environ. 17, 443–450.
Aguirrezabal L A N and Tardieu F 1996 An architectural analysis of the elongation of field-grown sunflower root systems. Elements for modelling the effects of temperature and intercepted radiation. J. Exp. Bot. 47, 411–420.
Amthor J S 1989 Respiration and Crop Productivity. Springer Verlag, New York. 215 p.
Barlow P W and Adam J S 1989 Experimental control of cellular patterns in the cortex of tomato roots. In Structural and Functional Aspects of Transports in Roots. Eds. B Loughman, O Gasparikova and J Kolek. pp 21–24. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.
Barlow P W and Rathfelder E L 1984 Correlations between the dimensions of different zones of grass root apices, and their implication for morphogenesis and differentiation in roots. Ann. Bot. 53, 249–260.
Berntson G M 1994 Modelling root architecture: are they tradeoffs between efficiency and potential of resource acquisition? New Phytol. 127, 483–493.
Brouwer R 1962 Distribution of dry matter in the plant. Neth. J. Agric. Sci. 10, 361–376.
Brugge R 1985 A mechanistic model of grass root growth and development dependent upon photosynthesis and nitrogen uptake. J. Theor. Biol. 116, 443–467.
Buwalda J G 1991 A mathematical model for carbon acquisition and utilisation by kiwifruit vines. Ecol. Model. 57, 43–64.
Buwalda J G 1993 The carbon cost of root systems of perennial fruit crops. Environ. exp. Bot. 33, 131–140.
Cahn M D, Zobel R W and Bouldin D R 1989 Relationship between root elongation rate and diameter and duration of growth of lateral roots of maize. Plant Soil 119, 271–279.
Caldwell M M 1987 Plant architecture and resource competition. Ecol. Stud. 61, 164–179.
Clausnitzer V and Hopmans J W 1994 Simultaneous modeling of transient three-dimensional root growth and soil water flow. Plant Soil 164, 299–314.
Coutts M P 1987 Developmental processes in tree root systems. Can. J. For. Res. 17, 761–767
Dick J M P and Dewar R C 1992 A mechanistic model of carbohydrate dynamics during adventitious root development in leafy cuttings. Ann. Bot. 70, 371–377.
Diggle A J 1988 ROOTMAP — a model in three-dimensional coordinates of the growth and structure of fibrous root systems. Plant Soil 105, 169–178.
Feldman L J and Torrey J G 1975 The quiescent center and primary vascular tissue pattern formation in cultured roots of Zea. Can. J. Bot. 53, 2796–2803.
Fitter A H, Sitckland T I, Harvey M L and Wilson G W 1991 Architectural analysis of plant root systems. I. Architectural correlates of exploitation efficiency. New Phytol. 118, 375–382.
Ganeshaiah K N and Uma Shaanker R 1994 Seed and fruit abortion as a process of self organization among developing sinks. Physiol. Plant. 91, 81–89.
Gary C, Jones J W and Longuenesse J J 1993 Modelling daily changes in specific leaf area of tomato: the contribution of the leaf assimilate pool. Acta Hort. 328, 205–210.
Grossman Y F and Dejong T M 1994 PEACH: a simulation model of reproductive and vegetative growth in peach trees. Tree Physiol. 14, 329–345.
Hackett C 1969 Quantitative aspects of the growth of cereal root systems. In Root Growth. Ed. W J Whittington. pp 134–147. Butterworth, London.
Huguet J G 1985 Appréciation de l'état hydrique d'une plante à partir des variations micrométriques de la dimension des fruits ou des tiges au cours de la journée. Agronomie 5, 733–741.
Jourdan C, Rey H and Guédon Y 1995 Architectural analysis and modelling of the branching process of the young oil-palm root system. Plant Soil 177, 63–72.
Le Roux Y and Pagès L 1994 Développement et polymorphisme racinaires chez de jeunes semis d'hévéa (Hevea brasiliensis). Can. J. Bot. 72, 924–932.
Logendra S, Putman J D and Janes H W 1990 The influence of light period on carbon partitioning, translocation and growth in tomato. Sci. Hort. 42, 75–83.
Marcelis L F M 1993 Simulation of biomass allocation in greenhouse crops — a review. Acta Hort. 328, 49–67.
Nielsen K L, Lynch J P, Jablokow A G and Curtis P S 1994 Carbon cost of root systems: an architectural approach. Plant Soil 165, 161–169.
Pagès L 1995 Growth patterns of the lateral roots in young oak (Quercus robur L.) trees. Relationship with apical diameter. New Phytol. 130, 503–509.
Pagès L and Aries F 1988 SARAH: modèle de simulation de la croissance, du développement, et de l'architecture des systémes racinaires. Agronomie 8, 62–68.
Pagès L, Chadoeuf J and Kervella J 1992 Modélisation stochastique de la croissance et du développement racinaire de jeunes pêchers (Prunus persica Batsch). I. Estimation et validation du modèle. Agronomie 12, 447–458.
Pagès L, Jordan M O and Picard D 1989 A simulation model of the three-dimensional architecture of the maize root system. Plant Soil 119, 147–154.
Pagès L, Le Roux Y and Thaler P 1995 Modélisation de l'architecture racinaire. Plant. Rech. Dév. 2, 19–34.
Pita F A O, Cano M A O and Fernandes Lopes N 1988 Regulaçao da fotossintese durante a ontogenia foliar de progenies de Hevea brasiliensis e Hevea pauciflora submetidas a dois regimes hidricos. Pesq. agr. bras. 23, 1209–1219.
Thaler P and Pagès L 1996a Periodicity in the development of the root system of young rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis Müll.-Arg.): relationship with shoot development. Plant Cell Environ. 19, 56–64.
Thaler P and Pagès L 1996b Root apical diameter an root elongation rate of rubber seedlings (Hevea brasiliensis) show parallel responses to photoassimilate availability. Physiol. Plant. 97, 365–371.
Thaler P and Pagès L 1997 Competition within the root system of rubber seedlings (Hevea brasiliensis) studied by root pruning and blockage. J. Exp. Bot. 48, 1451–1459.
Walton E F and Fowke P J 1993 Estimating the cost of kiwifruit vine growth. Acta Hort. 328, 121–128
Wardlaw I F 1990 Transley review No 27. The control of carbon partitioning in plants. New Phytol. 116, 341–381.
Wightman F and Thimann K V 1980 Hormonal factors controlling the initiation and development of lateral roots. I. Sources of primordia-inducing substances in the primary root of pea seedlings. Physiol. Plant. 49, 13–20.
Yorke J S and Sagar G R 1970 Distribution of secondary root growth potential in the root system of Pisum sativum. Can. J. Bot. 48, 699–704.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Thaler, P., Pagès, L. Modelling the influence of assimilate availability on root growth and architecture. Plant and Soil 201, 307–320 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004380021699
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004380021699