Tree root development: the role of models in understanding the consequences of arbuscular endomycorrhizal infection

Abstract

The development of any root system is ultimately a function of the amount of carbon moved into the root system, the growth rate of individual root members, the rate of initiation of branch roots by existing roots and of root survival. All these parameters may be influenced by infection by AM (arbuscular mycorrhizas) with the magnitude varying between different fungi. If the morphological effects of AM are to be understood well enough to allow their use as biological growth regulators then the integrated effects of changes in these separate root functions must be understood. This can be aided by the use of models. The use of the widely available package "STELLA" and the developmental model "Rootmap" to assess the results of changes in root survival and branching are discussed here. © 1992.