Mathematical modelling study for water uptake of steadily growing plant root

作者：Chu JiaQiang; Jiao WeiPing; Xu JianJun^*

来源：Science in China - Series G: Physics Mechanics and Astronomy , 2008, 51(2): 184-205.

DOI：10.1007/s11433-008-0010-0

• plant root
• water uptake
• Poiseuille flow
• asymptotic expansion solution

The root system of plant is a vitally important organ for living plant. One of the major functions of the root system is uptaking water and nutrients from the soil. The present paper analyzes the whole process of water uptake from soil by a steadily growing plant with a single slender root. We start from the basic principles of physics and fluid-dynamics, consider the structure characteristics of the water transport channel formed by the tiny xylems tubes inside plant, and establish a simplified coherent mathematical model to describe the water transport in the complete system consisting of soil, individual plant, including root, stem and leaves-atmosphere, on the basis of the plant physiology. Moreover, we resolve the proposed mathematical model for a simple artificial plant model under a variety of conditions, in terms of the numerical approach as well as analytical approach. It is shown that the results obtained by both approaches are in very good agreement; the theoretical predictions are qualitatively consistent with the practical experiences very well. The simplified mathematical model established in the present paper may provide a basis for the further investigations on the more sophisticated mathematical model.

• 出版日期2008-2
• 单位McGill; 南开大学