PLANT ARCHITECTURE : TRADE-OFF BETWEEN GROWTH AND MECHANICAL STABILITY

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

We studied the effect of planting density on plant architecture with particular attention to growth and mechanical strength of metamers. Crowded plants elongated their stem at the expense of mechanical stability. On the other hand, uncrowded plants reduced elongation and increased light interception by lateral extension of branches. Nitrogen use efficiency was higher in uncrowded plants, whereas light use efficiency was higher in crowded plants. Yang's modulus of elasticity increased with increasing dry mass density of stem. Stems of crowded plants had a lower dry mass density, but Yang's modulus per dry mass density was higher. However, they increased stem height to the limit of lodging.