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Simulation of Rhythmic Tree Growth under Constant Conditions
Author(s) -
BORCHERT R.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1973.tb03087.x
Subject(s) - rhythm , growth rate , constant (computer programming) , limiting , shoot , period length , biological system , biology , period (music) , growth model , ecology , mathematics , econometrics , botany , computer science , physics , geometry , mathematical economics , mechanical engineering , discrete mathematics , acoustics , engineering , programming language
The observed rhythmic growth of trees under relatively uniform environmental conditions has been ascribed by some authors to endogenous factors, by others to slight fluctuations of environmental factors. A model for the simulation of rhythmic growth was developed based on the assumption that endogenous rhythms can result from feedback interaction between two potentially continuous processes, like shoot and root growth, if the slower process is rate limiting for the faster one. Rhythmic growth in trees would be the consequence of feedback mechanisms needed for maintaining a constant shoot: root ratio. Period length of the rhythms depends upon the rates of the growth processes involved. Environmental factors modify period length through affecting growth rates. Growth patterns predicted by the model compare well with growth measurements of tropical trees. The transition from intermittent to continuous growth, as observed under certain conditions, can be simulated by varying a single parameter in the model.