Phenotyping and modeling of water transport in roots
Résumé
We developed a mathematical model to better understand how water enters into the roots segments and how those flows are integrated within a complete architecture. As a functional/structural Plant Model (FSPM), it combines the architecture and the hydraulic conductivities in plants. The originality of our approach is the tight relation between modeling and experimentation. In particular, we were able to unravel that, in Arabidopsis, the xylem vessels are a limiting factor. Genetic evidences also showed that all components of water transport interplay with each other.