Abstract
SimRoot, a geometric simulation model of plant root systems, is described. This model employs a data structure titled the Extensible Tree, which is well suited to the type of data required to model root systems. As implemented on Silicon Graphics workstations, the data structure and visualization code provides for continuous viewing of the simulated root system during growth. SimRoot differs from existing models in the explicit treatment of spatial heterogeneity of physiological processes in the root system, and by inclusion of a kinematic treatment of root axes. Examples are provided of the utility of the model in estimating the fractal geometry of simulated root systems in 1, 2, and 3 dimensional space. We envision continued development of the model to incorporate competition from neighboring root systems, linkage with crop simulation models to simulate root-shoot interactions, explicit treatment of soil heterogeneity, and plasticity of root responses to soil factors such as presence of mycorrhizal associations.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Berntson G M 1994 Modelling root architecture: are there tradeoffs between efficiency and potential of resource acquisition? New Phytol. 127, 483-493.
Berntson G M, Lynch J P, and Snapp S 1996. Fractal geometry and plant root systems: current perspectives and future applications. InFractals in Soil Science. Eds. P Baveye, J Y Parlange and B A Stewart. Lewis Publishers, New York, USA. (In press).
Brouwer R 1954 Water absorption by the roots of Vicia fabaat various transpiration strengths. I. Analysis of the uptake and the factors determining it. Proc. K. Ned. Akad. Wet. C54, 106-115.
Clarkson DT 1996 Root structure and sites of uptake. InPlant Roots: The Hidden Half. 2nd ed. Eds.Y Waisel, A Eshel and U Kafkafi. pp 483-510. Marcel Dekker, New York.
Clausnitzer V and Hopmans J W 1995 Simultaneous modelling of transient three-dimensional root growth and soil water flow. Plant Soil 164, 299-314.
Diggle A J 1988 ROOTMAP-a model in three-dimensional coordinates of the growth and structure of fibrous root systems. Plant Soil 105, 169-178.
Eshel A and Waisel Y 1996 Multiform and multifunction of various constituents of one root system. InPlant Roots: The Hidden Half. 2nd edition. Eds. Y Waisel, A Eshel and U Kafkafi. pp 175-192. Marcel Dekker, New York.
Farnsworth K D and Niklas K J 1995 Theories of optimization, form and function in branching architecture in plants. Func. Ecol. 9, 355-363.
Fitter AH, Strickland T R, Harvey M L and Wilson G W 1991 Architectural analysis of plant root systems. 1. Architectural correlates of exploitation efficiency. New Phytol. 119, 375-382.
Hackett C and Rose D A 1972a A model of the extension and branching of a seminal root of barley, and its use in studying relations between root dimensions. I. The model. Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 25, 669-679.
Hackett C and Rose D A 1972b A model of the extension and branching of a seminal root of barley, and its use in studying relations between root dimensions. Il. Results and inferences from manipulation of the model. Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 25, 681- 690.
Hayward H E, Blair W M and Skalling P E 1942 Device for measuring entry of water into roots. Bot. Gaz. 104, 152-160.
Hoogenboom G, Jones J W and Boote K J 1992 Modeling growth, development and yield of grain legumes using SOYGRO, PNUTGRO, and BEANGRO: A review. Trans.ASAE35, 2043- 2056.
Huang J W, Grunes D L and Kochian L V 1992 Aluminum effects on the kinetics of calcium uptake into cells of the wheat root apex. Planta 188, 414-42I.
Lungley D R 1973 The growth of root systems-a numerical computer simulation model. Plant Soil 38, 145-159.
Lynch J 1995 Root architecture and plant productivity. Plant Physiol. 109, 7-13.
Lynch J P and Nielsen K L 1996 Simulation of root system architecture. InPlant Roots: The Hidden Half. 2nd ed. Eds. Y Waisel, A Eshel and U Kafkafi. pp 247-258. Marcel Dekker, New York, NY, USA.
McDougall B M and Rovira A D 1970 Sites of exudation of 14Clabelled compounds from wheat roots. New Phytol. 69, 999- 1003.
Neider J 1993 Open GL Programming Guide: The Official Guide to Learning Open GL, release 1. OpenGL Architecture Review Board. Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Reading, MA, USA. 516 p.
Nielsen K L, Lynch J P, Jablokow A G and Curtis P S 1994 Carbon cost of root systems: an architectural approach. Plant Soil 165, 161-169.
Pachepsky Y, Timlin D, Acock B Lemmon H and Trent A 1993 2DSOIL-A New Modular Simulator of Soil and Root Processes. Release 02 (April 1993) USDA-ARS, Systems Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA. 209 p.
Pages L, Jordan M O and Picard D 1989 A simulation model of the three-dimensional architecture of the maize root system. Plant Soil 119, 147-154.
Schellenbaum L, Berta G Ravolanirina F, Tisserant B, Gianinazzi S and Fittter A H 1991 Influence of endomycorrhizal infection on root morphology in a micropropagated woody plant species (Vitis viniferaL.). Ann. Bot. 68, 135-141.
Sharp R E, Hsiao T C and Silk W K 1990 Growth of the maize primary root at low water potentials. II. Role of growth and deposition of hexose and potassium in osmotic adjustment. Plant Physiol. 93, 1337-1346.
Silk W K 1984 Quantitative descriptions of development. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 35, 479-518.
Silk W K and Erickson R O 1979 Kinematics of plant growth. J Theor. Biol. 76, 481-501.
Silk W K, Hsiao T C, Diedenhofen U and Matson C 1986 Spatial distribution of potassium; solutes, and their deposition rates in the growth zone of the primary corn root. Plant Physiol. 82, 853-858.
Tatsumi J, Yamauci A and Kono Y 1989 Fractal analysis of root systems. Ann. Bot. 64, 499-503.
Waisel Y and Eshel A 1992 Differences in ion uptake among roots of various types. Plant Nutr. 15, 945-958.
Wanner H 1944 The zonal graduation of respiratory intensity in the root. Arkiv Bot. 31A, 1-9.
Wullschleger S D, Lynch J P and Berntson G M 1994 Modeling the belowground response of plants and soil biota to edaphic and climatic change-What can we expect to gain? Plant Soil 165, 149-160.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lynch, J.P., Nielsen, K.L., Davis, R.D. et al. SimRoot: Modelling and visualization of root systems. Plant and Soil 188, 139–151 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004276724310
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004276724310