Functional-structural plant model for testing the effect of maize architecture on hourly light distribution in strip-intercropping systems

Abstract

Intercropping is an important aspect for the sustainable intensification of agriculture. Maize and a shorter legume crop are common species in intercropping systems and competition for light plays a major role on productivity given the large differences in canopy height. Particularly in intercropping systems, the light intensity for the shorter crop fluctuates strongly during the day. For selecting a maize cultivar, the influence of its architecture on this light fluctuation is very important. With the aim to pre-select suitable cultivars for experimentation and to guide breeding programs, modelling approaches are crucial. Here we present and evaluate a functional-structural plant model (FSPM) able to simulate on an hourly resolution the influence of architectural characteristics of maize on light distribution within strip-intercropping systems. This is a first step towards a complex dynamic FSPM intercropping model, suitable for detailed investigations of the effects of plant architecture on light absorption, photosynthesis and finally biomass production.