Using a 3-D Virtual Sunflower to Simulate Light Capture at Organ, Plant and Plot Levels: Contribution of Organ Interception, Impact of Heliotropism and Analysis of Genotypic Differences

Abstract

The approach is useful in characterizing the light environment of organs and the whole plant, especially for studies on heterogeneous canopies or for quantifying genotypic or environmental impacts on plant architecture, where conventional approaches are ineffective. This model paves the way to analyses of genotype-environment interactions and could help establish new selection criteria based on architectural improvement, enhancing plant light interception.