MassFlowDyn I: A Carbon Transport and Partitioning Model for Root System Architecture

Carbon partitioning is important for understanding root developmentbut little is known about its regulation. Existing models suggestthat partitioning is controlled by the potential sink strength.They cannot, however, simulate hierarchical uptake other thanby using absolute priorities. Moreover, they cannot explainthat the changes in photoassimilate partitioning result fromchanges in photosynthesis. In this paper we present a modelof phloem sieve circulation, based on the model of Minchin etal. (Journal of Experimental Botany44: 947–955, 1993).The root system was represented by a network of segments towhich meristems were connected. The properties of the segmentswere determined by the differentiation stage. Photoassimilateimport from each organ was assumed to be limited by a metabolicprocess and driven by Michaelis–Menten kinetics. The axialgrowth was proportional to meristem respiration, which drivesthe flux of new cells required for root elongation. We usedthe model to look at trophic apical dominance, determinate andindeterminate root growth, the effect of the activity of a rooton competition with its neighbours, and the effect of photoassimilateavailability on changes in partitioning. The simulated phloemmass flow yielded results of the same order of magnitude asthose generally reported in the literature. For the main wellvascularized axis, the model predicted that one single apicalmeristem larger than its neighbouring laterals, was enough togenerate a taprooted system. Conversely, when the meristem oflaterals close to the collar had a volume similar to that ofthe taproot, the predicted network became fibrous. The modelpredicted a hierarchical priority for organ photoassimilateuptake, similar to that described in the literature, duringthe decline in photosynthetic activity. Our model suggests thatdeterminate growth of the first laterals resulted from a localshortage of photoassimilate at their meristem, as a result ofthe limited transport properties of the developed roots. Copyright2000 Annals of Botany Company Münch theory, phloem transport model, photoassimilate-partitioning, root growth, root system architecture, translocation