PLANT ARCHITECTURE : TRADE-OFF BETWEEN GROWTH AND MECHANICAL STABILITY

我们研究了种植密度对植物构型的影响，特别是对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它们的茎。另一方面，不拥挤的植株通过枝条的侧伸减少了伸长，增加了对光的拦截。不拥挤植物的氮素利用效率较高，而拥挤植物的光能利用效率较高。杨氏弹性模量随干质量密度的增大而增大。拥挤植株茎干质量密度较低，但每干质量密度杨氏模量较高。然而，它们将茎高增加到倒伏的极限。

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.