Functional-structural plant models (FSPMs) describe in quantitative terms the development over time of the three-dimensional (3D) structure of plants as governed by physiological processes and affected by environmental factors. FSPMs are particularly suited to analyse problems in which the spatial structure of the plant or its canopy is an essential factor to explain, e.g., plant competition (intra-plant, inter-plant, inter-species) and the effects of plant configuration and plant manipulation (e.g., pruning and harvesting) on yield and produce quality.

This book describes the philosophy of functional-structural plant modelling and several tools for making FSPMs; it outlines methods for measuring essential parameters, including those pertaining to plant structure. As FSPMs offer new opportunities to model sinksource interactions, the physiological theory and modelling approaches regarding partitioning of carbon are given specific attention. Examples of application of FSPMs include wheat modelling in the context of remote sensing and the analysis of predatorprey insect interactions on glasshouse plants.

The book will be useful for scientists and advanced students interested in innovative approaches in plant and crop modelling.

Discusses methodology to program architecture of plant models (e.g. L-systems) Provides update of the objectives and approaches of combining architecture and functional plant/crop modelling Emphasis is placed on the physiological knowledge of sink-source interactions

Inhalt
Functional-Structural Plant Modelling in Crop Production.- Measurements for Functional-Structural Crop Models.- The L+C Plant-Modelling Language.- Groimp as a Platform for Functional-Structural Modelling of Plants.- The Virtual Crop-Modelling System 'VICA' Specified for Barley.- A Mathematical Approach Estimating Source and Sink Functioning of Competing Organs.- Modelling the Light Environment of Virtual Crop Canopies.- Photosynthesis And Carbon Balance.- Concepts of Modelling Carbon Allocation Among Plant Organs.- Mechanistic Modelling of Carbon Partitioning.- Numerical Methods for Transport-Resistance SourceSink Allocation Models.- L-Peach, an L-System-Based Model for Simulating Architecture, Carbohydrate SourceSink Interactions and Physiological Responses of Growing Trees.- Canonical Modelling.- GRAAL: Growth, Architecture, Allocation.- Functional-Structural Modelling of Gramineae.- Functional-Structural Modelling of Faba Bean.- Functional-Structural Modelling of Chrysanthemum.- Towards Functional-Structural Modelling of Greenhouse Cucumber.- 3D Canopy Modelling as a Tool in Remote-Sensing Research.- Functional-Structural Modelling as a Potential Tool to Assess the Impact of Resource Competition on Arable Communities.- A Grammar-Based Model of Barley Including Virtual Breeding, Genetic Control and a Hormonal Metabolic Network.- Modelling Plant Canopies for Biocontrol and Biodiversity.