Plant architecture is a major determinant of the resource use efficiency of crops. The architecture of a plant shows ontogenetic structural changes which are modified by multiple environmental factors: Plant canopies are exposed to natural fluctuations in light quantity and the dynamically changing canopy architecture induces local variations in light quality. Changing temperature conditions or water availability during growth additionally affect plant architecture and thus crop productivity, because plants have various options to adapt their architecture to the available resources. Meeting the challenge of ensuring food security we must understand the plant’s mechanisms for integrating and responding to an orchestra of environmental factors. ‘Virtual plants’ describe plant architecture in silico. Virtual plants have the potential to help us understanding the complex feedback processes between canopy architecture, multiple environmental factors and crop productivity. As a research tool, they have become increasingly popular within the last decade due to their great power of realistically visualizing the plant’s architecture. This Research Topic highlights current research carried out on modeling plant architecture in changing environments.

The importance of viticulture and the winemaking socio-economic sector is acknowledged worldwide. The most renowned winemaking regions show very specific environmental characteristics, where climate usually plays a central role. Considering the strong influence of weather and climatic factors on grapevine yields and berry quality attributes, climate change may indeed significantly impact this crop. Recent trends already point to a pronounced increase in growing season mean temperatures, as well as changes in precipitation regimes, which have been influencing wine typicity across some of the most renowned winemaking regions worldwide. Moreover, several climate scenarios give evidence of enhanced stress conditions for grapevine growth until the end of the century. Although grapevines have high resilience, the clear evidence for significant climate change in the upcoming decades urges adaptation and mitigation measures to be taken by sector stakeholders. To provide hints on the abovementioned issues, we have edited a Special Issue entitled “Viticulture and Winemaking under Climate Change”. Contributions from different fields were considered, including crop and climate modeling, and potential adaptation measures against these threats. The current Special Issue allows for the expansion of scientific knowledge in these particular fields of research, as well as providing a path for future research.

Learn to use modeling and simulation methods to attack real-world problems, from physics to engineering, from life sciences to process engineering Reviews of the first edition (2009): "Perfectly fits introductory modeling courses [...] and is an enjoyable reading in the first place. Highly recommended [...]" —Zentralblatt MATH, European Mathematical Society, 2009 "This book differs from almost all other available modeling books in that [the authors address] both mechanistic and statistical models as well as 'hybrid' models. [...] The modeling range is enormous." —SIAM Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics, USA, 2011 This completely revised and substantially extended second edition answers the most important questions in the field of modeling: What is a mathematical model? What types of models do exist? Which model is appropriate for a particular problem? What are simulation, parameter estimation, and validation? What kind of mathematical problems appear and how can these be efficiently solved using professional free of charge open source software? The book addresses undergraduates and practitioners alike. Although only basic knowledge of calculus and linear algebra is required, the most important mathematical structures are discussed in sufficient detail, ranging from statistical models to partial differential equations and accompanied by examples from biology, ecology, economics, medicine, agricultural, chemical, electrical, mechanical, and process engineering. About 200 pages of additional material include a unique chapter on virtualization, Crash Courses on the data analysis and programming languages R and Python and on the computer algebra language Maxima, many new methods and examples scattered throughout the book and an update of all software-related procedures and a comprehensive book software providing templates for typical modeling tasks in thousands of code lines. The book software includes GmLinux, an operating system specifically designed for this book providing preconfigured and ready-to-use installations of OpenFOAM, Salome, FreeCAD/CfdOF workbench, ParaView, R, Maxima/wxMaxima, Python, Rstudio, Quarto/Markdown and other free of charge open source software used in the book.

This book presents the latest findings in the areas of digital ecosystem for innovation in agriculture. The book is organized into two sections with thirteen chapters dealing with specialized areas. It provides the reader with an overview of the frameworks and technologies involved in the digitalization of agriculture, as well as the data processing methods, decision-making processes, and innovative services/applications for enabling digital transformations in agriculture. The chapters are written by experts sharing their experiences in lucid language through case studies, suitable illustrations, and tables. The contents have been designed to fulfill the needs of geospatial, data science, agricultural, and environmental sciences of universities, agricultural universities, technological universities, research institutes, and academic colleges worldwide. It helps the planners, policymakers, and extension scientists plan and sustainably manage agriculture and natural resources.

Advances in Agronomy continues to be recognized as a leading reference and a first-rate source for the latest research in agronomy. As always, the subjects covered are varied and exemplary of the myriad of subject matter dealt with by this long-running serial. Maintains the highest impact factor among serial publications in agriculture Presents timely reviews on important agronomy issues Enjoys a long-standing reputation for excellence in the field

This publication comprises the proceedings of the first International Conference devoted to the structural roots of trees and woody plants. 'The Supporting Roots - Structure and Function,' 20-24 July 1998, Bordeaux, France. The meeting was held under the auspices ofIUFRO WPS 2. 01. 13 'Root Physiology and Symbiosis,' and its aim was to bring together scientific researchers, foresters and arboriculturalists, to discuss current problems in structural root research and disseminate knowledge to an audience from a wide disciplinary background. For the first time in an international conference, emphasis was placed on presenting recent reseach in the field of tree anchorage mechanics and root biomechanics. The way in which tree stability can be affected by root system symmetry and architecture was addressed, as well as how movement during wind sway can influence the development and shape of woody roots. The role of different nursery and planting techniques was discussed, in relation to effects on root system form and development. Root response to different environmental stresses, including water, temperature, nutrient and mechanical stress was addressed in detail. The structure and function of woody roots was also considered at different levels, from coarse to fine roots, with several papers discussing the interaction between roots and the rhizosphere. One of the conference highlights was the presentation of new methods in root research, by a series of workshops held at LRBB-INRA, Pierroton, on the northern border of the Gascony forest.