Water uptake by two contrasting root systems (maize, peach tree):: results from a model of hydraulic architecture

This article aims at showing how consideration of architectural and hydraulic features of root systems can help in the understanding of water uptake by plants. Relevant data on architecture and hydraulics of roots can be brought together in the 'Hydraulic Tree Model of the root system, a model that couples a root system architecture model and laws for water flow to and into roots. In this way, a detailed portrait of water absorption is given, from the single root to the whole root system. Two contrasting plants, maize and peach tree, illustrate model applications and results. These plants not only differ in architectural features, but also in the distribution of hydraulic conductance in the root system. Maize uptake pattern is highly heterogeneous, showing patches of high absorption rates distributed throughout the root system. In contrast, the peach tree is characterized by a localized uptake in the upper, proximal part of the root system. ((C) Inra/Elsevier, Paris.).