Abstract
Organic farming systems are an emerging sector of agro-business. They are designed
to produce high-quality food while keeping the input of resources such as fertilisers to a
minimum. This is achieved through taking advantage of natural soil, microbial and plant
processes that contribute towards crop stability, resource acquisition efficiency in terms
of nutrients and water, and management practices. Enhancement of the production
efficiency of organic farming systems requires profound insight into the complicated
interactions of the rhizosphere with its environment. This is advanced by joint
experimental and mathematical investigations. Aim of this project is to develop a
simulation model that represents the most relevant rhizosphere control mechanisms,
applying state of the art mathematical methods to link the processes on a single root
scale to a whole root system.
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