FSPM - Also opportunities for ecophysiological research. F.J.Bongers

Abstract

In this master thesis the topic is the concept FSPM – Functional-Structural Plant Model. The concept FSPM has originated from independent development of architectural plant models by mathematicians and process-based crop models by ecophysiologists. FSPMs are used in plant studies to simulate plant growth and development in three-dimensional structures. In these models, the structure is depending on physiological processes that are dependent on environmental conditions. In addition, plant structures also affect the perception of environmental factors. This feedback loop is an important process in plant development and plant response to the environment. This feedback can be approached with FSPM because both the perception of environmental conditions and the development of plant structures take place at organ level at every time step. However, this feedback is still not often incorporated. Over the years especially crop related models have been created, used as tool to search for aspects that could optimize crop yield. However, in more fundamental research the opportunities of FSPMs are not often used. The aim of this thesis is to introduce the concept FSPM, by elucidating the three main aspects (plant structure, physiological processes and environmental conditions) and giving examples of current applications. In addition, it will be pointed out that there are more future opportunities for FSPMs. Through the collaboration of fundamental researchers and mathematical modelers FSPMs could be improve and the understanding of different complex systems in nature could be increase.