KUTUN : a morphogenetic model for cotton (Gossypium hirsitum L.)

A whole crop model for growth and development of cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) is presented. The model is based on previous extensive studies on plant morphogenesis, growth of fruits and canopy photosynthesis. The crop model basically is a carbohydrate budget, but all processes are regulated by an underlying morphogenetic template, derived from the previous studies on plant morphogenesis. A cotton crop is considered as a set of partly autonomous, interacting strata, each consisting of a mainstem leaf and the adjoining sympodial branch, with their associated stem (and root) tissue. Growth of fruits and maintenance respiration have absolute priority for the allocation of assimilates but vegetative growth and growth of squares in any stratum depend to a large extent on the assimilates produced in that stratum. This stratification concept, together with the potential growth rates of all tissues in dependence of their developmental age and assimilate production, calculated for each stratum separately are the core of the simulation procedures. The crop model is shown to accurately generate a large number of well-documented semi-quantitive growth phenomena of cotton. Some lines for further research and development of the model are indicated