SimTraces partitioning model (Working Package 3)

The model accounts for :

• the sequestration of the trace element in plant tissues (in vacuoles and in cell walls)
• the allocation between plant parts by transport
  • in xylem, implicitly driven by transpiration
  • in phloem explicitly driven by the the size (maintenance) and the growth of the plant parts
• exchanges between xylem and phloem
• remobilization of trace elements due to senescence of tissues

For crop quality purpose, the plant parts are :

• roots,
• conductive organs : stem including the receptacle, the rachis, the peduncles
• organs with a high transpiration/biomass ratio : leaves, glumes
• seeds

For phytoextraction, only 2 compartments are considered : roots and aboveground parts.

Partitioning of Cd simulated by SimTraces for sunflower from germination to maturity