Towards developmental modelling of tree root systems

Modelling cereal root systems for water and nitrogen capture: towards an economic optimum.

A quantitative model of wheat root systems is developed that links the size and distribution of the root system to the capture of water and nitrogen (which are assumed to be evenly distributed with depth) during grain filling, and allows estimates of the economic consequences of this capture to be assessed. A particular feature of the model is its use of summarizing concepts, and reliance on on...

Towards Computational Neural Systems through Developmental Evolution

Towards understanding tree root profiles: simulating hydrologically optimal strategies for root distribution

In this modelling study differences in vertical root distributions measured in four contrasting forest locations in the Netherlands were investigated. Root distributions are seen as a reflection of the plant’s optimisation strategy, based on hydrological grounds. The ‘optimal’ root distribution is defined as the one that maximises the water uptake from the root zone over a period of ten years. ...

Towards Generality In Modelling Complex Physical Systems

Qualitative physics has achieved considerable success in small and moderate scale problems but methods for managing the scope and depth of knowledge used by human problem solvers remain elusive. We argue that generality in a modelling approach is essential for extending qualitative physics to complex systems. A novel new model architecture is proposed which combines qualitative and quantitative...

Root architecture simulation improves the inference from seedling root phenotyping towards mature root systems

Root phenotyping provides trait information for plant breeding. A shortcoming of high-throughput root phenotyping is the limitation to seedling plants and failure to make inferences on mature root systems. We suggest root system architecture (RSA) models to predict mature root traits and overcome the inference problem. Sixteen pea genotypes were phenotyped in (i) seedling (Petri dishes) and (ii...