The growth of root systems — A numerical computer simulation model

SummaryA simulation model of the growth of the plant root system is described. Firstly, the numbers and lengths of the laterals derived from a single axis are obtained from specified rates of elongation and branching. Secondly, the vertical distribution of filament lengt his obtained, after specifying the rate of initiation of axes at the crown of the plant and the orientation of successive, short straight segments representing the curved roots. Diagrams of the network can be produced using the graph-plotting facility of computer, and other properties such as the distribution of length of filament of given age and the distribution of apices can be computed. The model has sufficient flexibility to incorporate information on the temporal variation or local spatial variation in rates of growth found under non-uniform conditions.The utility of the model in agronomic studies is illustrated by using it to calculate the effects of fertilizer treatments on the root distribution, given certain growth responses expressed in terms of rates of elongation and branching. The examples considered pertain to (a) the enrichment of a layer in the soil with a fertilizer supplying a scarce nutrient and (b) a deferred application of a fertilizer supplying a scarce nutrient

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