Carbon supply from starch reserves to spring growth: Modelling spatial patterns in kiwifruit canes

The remobilization and transport of reserve carbon from a kiwifruit (Actini dia deliciosa) cane to developing axillary shoots was modelled using a simp le pool structure and mass flow process. Manipulative experiments with matu re kiwifruit plants are compared with simulation results. The model uses de tailed architectural information rather than explicit partitioning function s, achieving carbon partitioning as emergent behaviour of a spatial organiz ation. The model successfully simulated shoot growth and starch distributio n patterns. (C) 1999 Annals of Botany Company.