Simulating carbon and nitrogen patterns using an integrated model of wheat functioning

Based on a mechanistic approach, the CN-Wheat model simulates the fluxes of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) metabolites in wheat plants after anthesis. Barillot et al. show that the CN-Wheat model can be used to predict allocation and dynamics of C and N resources among culm organs in conjunction with observations from field experiments.

Detailed metabolite concentrations for C (left panels) and N (right panels) for two examples of photosynthetic organs: lamina n (A, B) and the enclosed (enc) part of the peduncle (C, D). Simulations are shown during the organ’s lifespan. The vertical dashed line represents the beginning of the rapid filling stage of grains.

CN-Wheat also provides insights into how depletion of mobile metabolites caused by grain filling ultimately results in the cessation of resource capture. CN-Wheat appears to be an appropriate model with which to investigate and reveal the myriad functions of integrated plant behaviour.