Towards a multi-scaled Functional-Structural Model of apple, linking ecophysiology at the fruit and branch scales

Abstract

A multitude of data on eco-physiological processes in apple (Malus × domestica) is available, concerning various aspects of fruit growth and development, fruit quality, or leaf photosynthesis. However, despite the wealth of data and studies many processes leading to (inter-annual and intra-arboreal) heterogeneity in quantity of fruit production as well as fruit quality are still only poorly understood at the branch level. Current Functional-Structural Plant Models of apple have targeted canopy architecture, i.e. development of vegetative structures. Here we will present a concept to apply the FSPM paradigm to the simulation of assimilation (source), transport and consumption (sink) of carbon in the context of a static structure representing the limb (fruit-bearing branch).