PhD topic D14


A 3-dimensional model of apple tree growth and development, including light interception and biomechanics


Description:


The software GroIMP is used as a tool for the development, evaluation and visualization of functional-structural plant models specified in the rule-based language XL (Kniemeyer 2008, Kurth 2007). It offers the possibility to simulate tree architecture, growth and processes like light interception, photosynthesis and bending under mechanical load in a unified framework. This offers advantages in terms of transparency of code and efficiency of calculation, compared with other simulation platforms.


GroIMP shall be used to realize a simulation model of growing young apple trees. The model shall be based on empirical data and stochastic rules, and will primarily describe the structural development of the annual shoots of the tree. It will then be extended to include the effects of bending of branches under their self-weight (biomechanics) and light interception of the leaves. The output shall be precisely compared with data from other models and with real plant data. Optionally, retroaction of bending and self-shading upon the stochastic rules of branch development shall be (tentatively) included in the model.


Apple-tree data will be available from cooperation partners in France.


Literature:

• Buck-Sorlin, G. H.; Guillermin, P.; Delaire, M.; Sane, F.; Le-Morvan, C. (2012): Towards a multi-scaled Functional-Structural Model of apple, linking ecophysiology at the fruit and branch scales. In: IEEE Fourth International Symposium on Plant Growth Modeling, Simulation, Visualization and Applications (PMA), IEEE, 66-69.
• Buck-Sorlin, G.; Delaire, M. (2013): Meeting present and future challenges in sustainable horticulture using virtual plants. Frontiers in plant science, 4.
• Costes, E.; Smith, C.; Renton, M.; Guédon, Y.; Prusinkiewicz, P.; Godin, C. (2008): MappleT: Simulation of apple tree development using mixed statistical and biomechanical models. Functional Plant Biology 35, 936-950.
• Fourcaud, T.; Lac, P. (2003): Numerical modelling of shape regulation and growth stresses in trees: I. An incremental static finite element formulation. Trees, 17 (1), 23-30.
• GroIMP (2014): http://www.grogra.de
• Guillon, T.; Dumont, Y.; Fourcaud, T. (2012): A new mathematical framework for modelling the biomechanics of growing trees with rod theory. Mathematical and Computer Modelling, 55 (9), 2061-2077.
• Han, H. H.; Coutand, C.; Cochard, H.; Trottier, C.; Lauri, P. E. (2007): Effects of shoot bending on lateral fate and hydraulics: invariant and changing traits across five apple genotypes. J. Exp. Bot. 58, 3537-3547.
• Han, L.; Da Silva, D.Boudon, F.; Cokelaer, T.; Pradal, C.; Faivre, R.; Costes, E. (2012): Investigating the Influence of Geometrical Traits on Light Interception Efficiency of Apple Trees: a Modelling Study with MAppleT. In: IEEE Fourth International Symposium on Plant Growth Modeling, Simulation, Visualization and Applications (PMA), IEEE, 152-159.
• Han, L.; Soulié, J.-C.; Boudon, F.; Da Silva, D.; Cokelaer, T.; Pradal, C.; Rouan, L.; Costes, E. (2011): Sensitivity Analysis of Light Interception to Geometrical Traits of Apple Trees: an in silico Study based on MAppleT model. In: 9th International Symposium on Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management.
• Hemmerling, Reinhard; Kniemeyer, Ole; Lanwert, Dirk; Kurth, Winfried; Buck-Sorlin, Gerhard (2008): The rule-based language XL and the modelling environment GroIMP illustrated with simulated tree competition. Functional Plant Biology 35, 739-750.
• Kniemeyer, Ole (2008): Design and Implementation of a Graph Grammar Based Language for Functional-Structural Plant Modelling. Ph.D. thesis, University of Technology at Cottbus. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn=urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus-5937
• Kurth, Winfried (2007): Specification of morphological models with L-systems and relational growth grammars. Image, vol. 5 / Themenheft, http://www.uni-forst.gwdg.de/~wkurth/cb/html/ima_lsy.pdf