The Modeller-Biologist Interface: a Small-Trees High-Productivity perspective

The Small-Trees High-Productivity Initiative seeks to improve mango, avocado and macadamia harvests through a better understanding of tree vigour, developmental architecture, crop load, and canopy light relations. While experiments in any of these areas must necessarily be highly focussed, the outcomes can be integrated through functional-structural plant modelling, enabling insights into design of the new orchard systems that are the ultimate target of the project. In order to do this, modellers and biologists must interact to define appropriate models that address questions about tree physiology and architectural responses to canopy management. As a basis for this our functional structural models take account of architectural development at tree component level, as driven by carbon distribution processes: variable light intercepted at each leaf, consequent photosynthate production, and source-sink carbon allocation processes. This presentation will give some examples of the models developed and how they are providing insight into our future high-density tropical and sub-tropical orchard systems.

Associate Professor Jim Hanan

Jim grew up in the prairies of Canada, a long way from the tropics, but with lots of long, cold winter nights suitable for developing an interest in indoor work such as computer graphics. During his Masters and PhD at the University of Regina, Saskatchewan, he developed components of L-studio, which has become a plant modelling system used world-wide for Functional Structural Plant Modelling. Attracted to Brisbane by an offer of a three year PostDoc, he has since spent his time working hard to blend his computer science background with the biological perspective of his collaborators at CSIRO, UQ, and DAF.

Can't make it? This seminar will be live streamed here. You can also participate in the Q&A either on Twitter by using #QAAFILIVE, or email Seminar Coordinator Hannah Hardy.