A mathematical model of leaf carbon metabolism

Abstract

A dynamic mechanistic mathematical model of C3 leaf carbon metabolism, incorporating the Calvin cycle with starch and sucrose synthesis and degradation, is proposed. The model consists of a system of non-linear differential equations based on biochemical and physiological assumptions. An analytical steady-state solution, with interesting mathematical properties that are interpreted biologically, is presented and shown to be stable. The system equations are integrated numerically, and an approximate analytical solution to the sucrose sub-system is derived. Some results of the model are compared with experimental data. © 1984 Annals of Botany Company.