Simulating plant plasticity under light environment: A source-sink approach

Simulation of plant structure competing for light source has mostly been done by directly modifying plant structure according to light interception. Functional-structural plant models, however, emphasize the influence of light interception on biomass production, and consequently plant structure. In this paper, we integrate a light distribution model with GreenLab model, which used Beer-Law in computing biomass production. By replacing Beer-Law with a light interception model for biomass production, the combined model was able to simulate the effect of light condition on plant structure through source-sink regulation. The positive and negative sides of this approach are discussed.