A dynamic model for vegetative plant growth has been constructed with a set of nonlinear, ordinary differential equations. The model accepts photosynthetically active radiance (PAR) between 400 and 700 nm wavelengths as input and quantitatively predicts the partitioning of photosynthate to leaves, stems, and roots over a normal range of temperatures. The parameter values for the model which were not measured were estimated with data from an experiment in controlled environment rooms. A determinate cultivar of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill ‘Ransom’) was grown at day/night temperatures of 18/14, 22/18, 26/22, 30/26, and 34/30 C; PAR of 75.0 nE cm‐2sec‐1 during a 9‐hour light period; and CO2 concentration of 400 µliter liter‐1. An interruption in the middle of the dark period by incandescent lamps was used to prevent floral induction. Plants from all treatments were sampled at approximately 2‐day intervals for measurement of total leaf area and dry weights of leaves, stems, and roots. A comparison of calculated and measured dry weights for soybean plants demonstrated that the model, which previously had been adjusted for simulation of growth for tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), is capable of describing growth of soybeans. Only minor modification of functional forms and parameter values were required for adaptation of the model for simulation of soybeans.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Wann et al. (1979) studied this question.