Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (5)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by THORNLEY, J. H. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by THORNLEY, J. H. M.
Agricola
Right arrow Articles by THORNLEY, J. H. M.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Annals of Botany 84: 195-205, 1999
© 1999 Annals of Botany Company

Modelling Stem Height and Diameter Growth in Plants

JOHN H. M. THORNLEY+

Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (Edinburgh), Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0QB, UK

September 18, 1998 ; March 11, 1999 . April 27, 1999

A model of stem height and diameter growth in plants is developed. This is formulated and implemented within the framework of an existing tree plantation growth model: the ITE Edinburgh Forest Model. It is proposed that the height:diameter growth rate ratio is a function of a within-plant allocation ratio determined by the transport-resistance model of partitioning, multiplied by a foliage turgor pressure modifier. First it is demonstrated that the method leads to a stable long-term growth trajectory. Diurnal and seasonal dynamics are also examined. Predicted time courses over 20 years of stem mass, stem height, height:diameter ratio, and height:diameter growth rate ratio are presented for six treatments: control, high nitrogen, increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, increased planting density, increased temperature and decreased rainfall. High nitrogen and increased temperature give initially higher stem height:diameter ratios, whereas high CO2gives an initially lower stem height:diameter ratio. However, the responses are complex, reflecting interactions between factors which often have opposing influences on height:diameter ratios, for example: stem density, competition for light and for nitrogen; carbon dioxide and decreased water stress; rainfall, leaching and nitrogen nutrition. The approach relates stem height and diameter growth variables via internal plant variables to environmental and management variables. Potentially, a coherent view of many observations which are sometimes in apparent conflict is provided. These aspects of plant growth can be considered more mechanistically than has hitherto been the case, providing an alternative to the empirical or teleonomic methods which have usually been employed.Copyright 1999 Annals of Botany Company

Plant, stem, height, diameter, growth, model, forest, plantation, trees.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J Exp BotHome page
S. X. Meng, V. J. Lieffers, D. E. B. Reid, M. Rudnicki, U. Silins, and M. Jin
Reducing stem bending increases the height growth of tall pines
J. Exp. Bot., September 1, 2006; 57(12): 3175 - 3182.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.