Plant architecture analysis. Basic concepts and applications in temperate-zone fruit growing research

Abstract

The main objective of plant architecture analysis is the study of the plant structure and its shape. The analysis enable a description of the tree constituents organization, a better understanding of the plant evolution laws, and finally, the elaboration of a plant growth and development model which allows us to predict the evolution of the plant at any time and in any place. Besides the basic concepts of plant architecture and modelling, possible applications of these analyses in temperate-zone fruit growing research are reviewed in the paper. The results of the research on tree architecture in walnut and apple are presented.