CRootBox: A functional-structural root model

Functional-structural plant (FSP) root models are increasingly used to investigate root-soil interactions. Schnepf et al. present CRootBox, a C++ based modelling framework for root architectures that combines usability, availability and high computing speed.

Field-scale simulation of T. aestivum. (A) 3D visualization of root growth in a field. (B) 3D visualization of field sampling via coring. (C) Root length density profiles (cm cm⁻³) after 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210 and 240 d; mean and standard deviation from 15 cores.

It can simulate multiple root systems of dicotyledons and monocotyledons. Its Python library facilitates modelling root-soil interactions using external dynamic soil models. A web-application enables anyone to create, modify and export a root system from one of the 22 available input parameter sets. The model can be used to analyse strategies to maximise resource acquisition from soil. In the future, this approach can be extended to the whole plant level.