Tree Growth 1

Video Gallery > Tree Growth 1 Video

This stunning video is generated by a model which simulates complex interactions within the tree, including growth, carbon partitioning among organs and responses to environmental, management and genetic factors. The model presented here is of a peach tree but is not calibrated to a specific tree. The simulated tree on the left is growing on a vigorous rootstock and the tree on the right is growing on a dwarfing rootstock. The only difference between the simulations is that tree on the right has a lower xylem hydraulic conductance in the rootstock and this causes the tree on the right to have slightly lower simulated xylem water potentials during midday and this in turns affects growth and photosynthesis.

For more information on this modeling work see:

Allen, M.T., P. Prusinkiewicz, and T.M. DeJong. 2005. Using L-systems for modeling source-sink interactions, architecture and physiology of growing trees: the L-PEACH model. New Phytologist 166:869-888. (pdf)

Lopez, G., R. R. Favreau, C. Smith, E. Costes, P. Prusinkiewicz and T. M. DeJong. 2008. Integrating simulation of architectural development and source–sink behaviour of peach trees by incorporating Markov chains and physiological organ function submodels into L-PEACH. Functional Plant Biology 35:761-771. (pdf)

Da Silva, D, R. Favreau, I. Auzmendi, T. DeJong. 2011. Linking water stress effects on carbon partitioning by introducing a xylem circuit into L-PEACH.  Annals of Botany 108:1135-1145.  (pdf)