The growth functions required for the simulation of production in Themeda triandra grassland were developedfor the PUTU 11 growth model. The model was developed using veld production data collected during the 1980/81 growing season. The theory successfully simulated production in three subsequent years, each with widely differing climatic conditions. Carbohydrate translocation within plants, in each growth stage, is driven by the ratio of the existing mass of given plant parts to the total plant mass. The mass in each plant organ strives to attain an optimal proportion of the total plant mass by means of the translocation of carbohydrate. In each growth stage a maximum translocation rate is possible into and out of each plant organ. The actual translocation rate varies sigmoidally with the relative mass ratio deviation from the desired proportion.
Journal articles from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) African Journal of Range and Forage Science as well as related articles and reports from throughout the southern African region.