P. Panterne et al., A MODEL OF THE VARIATION OF WATER POTENTIAL AND DIAMETER WITHIN A WOODY AXIS CROSS-SECTION UNDER TRANSPIRATION CONDITIONS, Trees, 12(5), 1998, pp. 293-301
The spatio-temporal variation of water potential and the corresponding
changes in diameter in a woody axis cross-section have been modelled.
The two-dimensional space model is based on the assumption that the w
ater flux is regulated by Darcy's law which leads to a diffusion type
equation. This equation takes into account the water movements to and
from the xylem vessels in space and time. The water potential of the v
essels being given, a numerical solution provided the values of the wa
ter potential variations of the wood and peripheral elastic tissues in
the woody axis cross-section throughout the day. By specifying that t
he predawn water potential equilibrates throughout the whole section,
this study enabled us to determine a range of satisfactory values of p
arameters. A first validation was given by an application of the model
to a peach-tree. It was performed by comparing the calculated variati
ons in diameter of a trunk to those which were measured. In conclusion
we discuss some physiological consequences of the model.