Abstract
In this paper, we consider the use of compartmental modelling to examine the integration of root and shoot resource allocation without the use of partitioning functions or communicating messengers. Emphasing overall growth and the partitioning of biomass and resources between shoots and roots, we discuss the use of modelling to explore mechanisms of control, to direct experimentation and to test physiological hypotheses concerning their regulation. We discuss how the interrelationships of allocation processes and growth might be considered by generating “mutants” of a basic model, and we suggest this approach as one general way to increase interactions between modellers and experimentalists.
Recognizing that the meristematic origin of plant organs inherently limits the usefulness of two compartment (root and shoot) models, we consider three problems to be solved (both computationally and experimentally) in extending modelling to more complex simulations: the incorporation of direct root/shoot signaling for regulation of the shoot-shoot ratio (S/R), the modelling of growth of individual leaves, and the definition of shoots based on component leaves and internodes. Finally, we briefly consider the problem of nitrogen and the regulation of S/R as an example of experimentation directed by modelling.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- CNS, NNS :
-
concentrations of non-structural carbohydrates and amino-N
- NAR:
-
net assimilation rate
- RGR:
-
relative groth rate
- SARN :
-
specific accumulation rate (nitrogen)
- S/R:
-
shoot/root ratio
References
Arkebauer T J and Norman J M 1995a From cell growth to leaf growth: I. Coupling cell division and cell expansion. Agron. J. 87, 99–105.
Arkebauer T J and Norman J M 1995b From cell growth to leaf growth: II. Simulation of a file of cells. Agron. J. 87, 106–112.
Arkebauer T J, Norman J M and Sullivan C Y 1995 From cell growth to leaf growth: III. Kinetics of leaf expansion. Agron. J. 87, 112–121.
Borland A M and Farrar J F 1985 Diel patterns of carbohydrate metabolism in leaf blades and leaf sheaths ofPoa annua andPoa ×jemtlandica. New Phytol. 100, 519–532.
Borland A M and Farrar J F 1988 Compartmentation and fluxes of carbon in leaf blades and leaf sheaths ofPoa annua L. andPoa ×jemtlandica (Almq.) Richt. Plant Cell Environ. 11, 535–546.
Borland A M and Farrar J F 1989 The partitioning of photosynthetically fixed carbon in the leaf blade and leaf sheath ofPoa pratensis L. J. Exp. Bot. 40, 1247–1254.
Charles Edwards D A 1979 A model for leaf growth. Ann. Bot. 44, 523–535.
Cheeseman J M 1993 Plant growth modelling without integrating mechanisms. Plant Cell Environ. 16, 137–147.
Cosgrove D 1986 Biophysical control of plant cell growth. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 37, 377–405.
Dale J E 1988 The control of leaf expansion. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol. 39, 267–295.
Fitter A H 1991 Characteristics and functions of root system.In Plant Roots: The Hidden Half. Ed. Y Waisel, A Eshel and U Kafkafi. pp 3–25. Marcel Decker, Inc., New York, USA.
Fry S C 1986 Cross-linking of matrix polymers in the growing cell walls of angiosperms. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 37, 165–186.
Fry S C 1988 The Growing Plant Cell Wall: Chemical and Metabolic Analysis. Longman Scientific and Technical, Harlow, Essex, UK. 333 p.
Gleeson S K 1993 Optimization of tissue nitrogen and root-shoot allocation. Ann. Bot. 71, 23–31.
Grimm E, Bernhardt G, Rothe K and Jacob F 1990 Mechanism of sucrose retrieval along the phloem path-a kinetic approach. Planta 182, 480–485.
Hahlbrock K and Griseliach H 1979 Enzymic controls in the biosynthesis of lignin and flavonoids. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 30, 105–130.
Hayashi T 1991 Biochemistry of xyloglucans in regulating cell elongation and expansion.In The Cytoskeletal Basis of Plant Growth and Form. Ed. C W Lloyd. pp 131–144. Academic Press, San Diego, USA.
Heuvelink E 1995 Dry matter partitioning in a tomato plant: one common assimilate pool? J. Exp. Bot. 46, 1025–1033.
Jupe S C and Scott I M 1992 Gibberellin and thepro gene suppress peroxidase activity in elongating tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) stem tissues. Ann. Bot. 69, 33–37.
Lin L-S and Varner J E 1991 Expression of ascorbic acid oxidase in zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). Plant Physiol. 96, 159–165.
Lockhart J A 1965 An analysis of irreversible plant cell elongation. J. Theor. Biol. 8, 264–275.
MacAdam J W, Nelson C J and Sharp R E 1992 Peroxidase activity in the leaf elongation zone of tall fescue. I. Spatial distribution of ionically bound peroxidase activity in genotypes differing in length of the elongation zone. Plant Physiol. 99, 872–878.
McDonald A J S and Stadenberg I 1993 Nitrogen supply and the control of expansive growth and function in leaves and roots. Plant and Soil 155/156, 195–198.
McDonald A J S, Stadenberg I and Sands R 1992 Diurnal variation in extension growth of leaves ofSalix viminalis. Tree Physiol. 11, 123–132.
Michelena A V and Boyer J S 1982 Complete turgor maintenance at low water potentials in elongating regions of maize leaves. Plant Physiol. 65, 1145–1149.
Minchin P E H and Thorpe M R 1987 Measurement of unloading and reloading of photo-assimilate within the stem of bean. J. Exp. Bot. 38, 211–220.
Minchin P E H and Thorpe M R 1993 Sink strength — a misnomer, and best forgotten. Plant Cell Environ. 16, 1039–1040.
Minchin P E H, Thorpe M R and Farrar J F 1993 A simple mechanistic model of phloem transport which explains sink priority. J. Exp. Bot. 44, 947–955.
Ong C K and Baker N R 1985 Temperature and leaf growth.In Control of Leaf Growth. Ed. N R Baker, W J Davies and C K Ong. pp 175–200. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
Pate J S 1980 Transport and partitioning of nitrogenous solutes. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 31, 313–140.
Potter J R and Breen P J 1980 Maintenance of high photosynthetic rates during the accumulation of high leaf starch levels in sunflower and soybean. Plant Physiol. 66, 528–531.
Rawson H M and Dunstone R L 1986 Simple relationships describing the responses of leaf growth to temperature and radiation in sunflower. Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 13, 321–327.
Rooney J M, Brain P and Loh S Y 1989 The influence of temperature on leaf production and vegetative growth ofAvena fatua. Ann. Bot. 64, 469–480.
Runge M 1983 Physiology and ecology of nitrogen nutrition.In Physiological Plant Ecology: Responses to the Chemical and Biological Environment. Eds. O L Lange, P S Nobel, C B Osmond and H Ziegler. pp 163–200. Springer Verlag, Berlin, Germany.
Small J R and Kacser H 1993a Responses of metabolic systems to large changes in enzyme activities and effectors. 1. The linear treatment of unbranched chains. Eur. J. Biochem. 213, 613–624.
Small J R and Kacser H 1993b Responses of metabolic systems to large changes in enzyme activities and effectors. 2. Eur. J. Biochem. 213, 625–640.
Stewart G R, Hegarty E E and Specht R L 1988 Inorganic nitrogen assimilation in plants of Australian rainforest communities. Physiol. Plant. 74, 26–33.
Stewart G R, Joly C A and Smirnoff N 1992 Partitioning of inorganic nitrogen assimilation between roots and shoots of cerrado and forest trees in contrasting plant communities of south east Brasil. Oecologia 91, 511–517.
Taiz L 1984 Plant cell expansion: regulation of cell wall mechanical properties. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 35, 585–657.
Termaat A, Passioura J B and Munns R 1985 Shoot turgor does not limit shoot growth of NaCl-affected wheat and barley. Plant Physiol. 77, 869–872.
Thornley J H M 1972 A balanced quantitative model for root:shoot ratios in vegetative plants. Ann. Bot. 36, 431–441.
Thornley J H M and Johnson I R 1990 Plant and Crop Modelling: A Mathematical Approach to Plant and Crop Physiology. Clarendon Press, Oxford, UK. 669 p.
Valero P, Nicolas G and Labrador E 1991 Variations of cell wall peroxidases in epicotyls ofCicer arietinum during growth. Plant Sci. 74, 171–178.
Van Bel A J E 1995 The low profile directors of carbon and nitrogen economy in plants: parenchyma cells associated with translocation channels.In Plant Stems. Ed. B L Gartner. pp 205–222. Academic Press, San Diego, USA.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cheeseman, J.M., Barreiro, R. & Lexa, M. Plant growth modelling and the integration of shoot and root activities without communicating messengers: Opinion. Plant Soil 185, 51–64 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02257564
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02257564