Background and aims: Carbon allocation in plants is usually represented at a topological scale, specific to each model. This makes the results obtained with different models, and the impact of their scales of representation, difficult to compare. In this study, we developed a multi-scale carbon allocation model (MuSCA) that allows the use of different, user-defined, topological scales of a plant, and assessment of the impact of each spatial scale on simulated results and computation time. Methods: Model multi-scale consistency and behaviour were tested on three realistic apple tree structures. Carbon allocation was computed at five scales, spanning from the metamer (the finest scale, used as a reference) up to first-order branches, and for different values of a sap friction coefficient. Fruit dry mass increments were compared across spatial scales and with field data. Key Results: The model was able to represent effects of competition for carbon assimilates on fruit growth. Intermediate friction parameter values provided results that best fitted field data. Fruit growth simulated at the metamer scale differed of ~1 % in respect to results obtained at growth unit scale and up to 60 % in respect to first order branch and fruiting unit scales. Generally, the coarser the spatial scale the more predicted fruit growth diverged from the reference. Coherence in fruit growth across scales was also differentially impacted, depending on the tree structure considered. Decreasing the topological resolution reduced computation time by up to four orders of magnitude. Conclusions: MuSCA revealed that the topological scale has a major influence on the simulation of carbon allocation. This suggests that the scale should be a factor that is carefully evaluated when using a carbon allocation model, or when comparing results produced by different models. Finally, with MuSCA, trade-off between computation time and prediction accuracy can be evaluated by changing topological scales

Reyes, F.; Pallas, B.; Pradal, C.; Vaggi, F.; Zanotelli, D.; Tagliavini, M.; Gianelle, D.; Costes, E. (2019). MuSCA: a multi-scale source-sink carbon allocation model to explore carbon allocation in plants: an application to static apple tree structures. ANNALS OF BOTANY, 126 (4): 571-585. doi: 10.1093/aob/mcz122 handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/58065

MuSCA: a multi-scale source-sink carbon allocation model to explore carbon allocation in plants: an application to static apple tree structures

Reyes, F
;
Gianelle, D;
2019-01-01

Abstract

Background and aims: Carbon allocation in plants is usually represented at a topological scale, specific to each model. This makes the results obtained with different models, and the impact of their scales of representation, difficult to compare. In this study, we developed a multi-scale carbon allocation model (MuSCA) that allows the use of different, user-defined, topological scales of a plant, and assessment of the impact of each spatial scale on simulated results and computation time. Methods: Model multi-scale consistency and behaviour were tested on three realistic apple tree structures. Carbon allocation was computed at five scales, spanning from the metamer (the finest scale, used as a reference) up to first-order branches, and for different values of a sap friction coefficient. Fruit dry mass increments were compared across spatial scales and with field data. Key Results: The model was able to represent effects of competition for carbon assimilates on fruit growth. Intermediate friction parameter values provided results that best fitted field data. Fruit growth simulated at the metamer scale differed of ~1 % in respect to results obtained at growth unit scale and up to 60 % in respect to first order branch and fruiting unit scales. Generally, the coarser the spatial scale the more predicted fruit growth diverged from the reference. Coherence in fruit growth across scales was also differentially impacted, depending on the tree structure considered. Decreasing the topological resolution reduced computation time by up to four orders of magnitude. Conclusions: MuSCA revealed that the topological scale has a major influence on the simulation of carbon allocation. This suggests that the scale should be a factor that is carefully evaluated when using a carbon allocation model, or when comparing results produced by different models. Finally, with MuSCA, trade-off between computation time and prediction accuracy can be evaluated by changing topological scales
MuSCA
Multi-scale
Carbon allocation
Plant growth
Tree growth
Functional–structural plant modelling
FSPM
Multi-scale tree graph
Source
Sink
Apple
Plant architecture
Settore BIO/07 - ECOLOGIA
2019
Reyes, F.; Pallas, B.; Pradal, C.; Vaggi, F.; Zanotelli, D.; Tagliavini, M.; Gianelle, D.; Costes, E. (2019). MuSCA: a multi-scale source-sink carbon allocation model to explore carbon allocation in plants: an application to static apple tree structures. ANNALS OF BOTANY, 126 (4): 571-585. doi: 10.1093/aob/mcz122 handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/58065
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
2020 AB Reyes et al.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione editoriale (Publisher’s layout)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 2.53 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.53 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10449/58065
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 6
  • Scopus 19
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 15
social impact