PLANT ARCHITECTURE : TRADE-OFF BETWEEN GROWTH AND MECHANICAL STABILITY

我们研究了种植密度对植物结构的影响，特别是对异构体的生长和机械强度的影响。拥挤的植物以牺牲机械稳定性为代价延长了茎。另一方面，不拥挤的植株减少了伸长，并通过枝条的横向延伸增加了对光的截获。非拥挤植株的氮素利用效率较高，而密集植株的光能利用率较高。杨氏弹性模数随干物质密度的增加而增大。密集植株的茎干质量密度较低，但单位干质量密度的杨氏模数较高。然而，他们增加了茎的高度，达到倒伏的极限。

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.