Articles
Modelling the division-expansion processes of tomato fruit cells with the Population Balance approach
Article number
1425_42
Pages
325 – 332
Language
English
Abstract
Fruit growth involves various mechanisms occurring at single-cell level, with both genotypic and environmental regulation.
Understanding the interplay of such complex mechanisms allows to disentangle their role on determining the quality of fruit at harvest, thus opening to the possibility to improve agricultural practices.
Many indicators of fruit quality, such as fruit size and texture, are related to the final total number and size distribution of cells.
Therefore, predicting such features is of particular interest.
In this work, we consider the fruit as a size-structured population of cells, sharing a common pool of resources.
Within the framework of Population Balance Equation, we derive the macroscopic behavior of the fruit, from the single-cell processes of division and expansion.
We compare the model’s outcome with an experimental data set of total cell number, fruit mass and final cell size distribution.
The framework enlightens the role played by genotype and environment on features related to tomato quality, and it has the potential to be extended to other fruits.
Finally, we discuss how our model can be further integrated with modules accounting for metabolite accumulation.
Understanding the interplay of such complex mechanisms allows to disentangle their role on determining the quality of fruit at harvest, thus opening to the possibility to improve agricultural practices.
Many indicators of fruit quality, such as fruit size and texture, are related to the final total number and size distribution of cells.
Therefore, predicting such features is of particular interest.
In this work, we consider the fruit as a size-structured population of cells, sharing a common pool of resources.
Within the framework of Population Balance Equation, we derive the macroscopic behavior of the fruit, from the single-cell processes of division and expansion.
We compare the model’s outcome with an experimental data set of total cell number, fruit mass and final cell size distribution.
The framework enlightens the role played by genotype and environment on features related to tomato quality, and it has the potential to be extended to other fruits.
Finally, we discuss how our model can be further integrated with modules accounting for metabolite accumulation.
Authors
L. Miele, L. Roques, D. Constantinescu, M. Génard, N. Bertin
Keywords
fruit growth, mathematical modelling, division-expansion, source-sink, tomato
Groups involved
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Working Group Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management
- Working Group Modelling Plant Growth, Environmental Control, Greenhouse Environment
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
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