Photosynthetical activity modelisation of olive trees growing under drought conditions

Abstract Predicting photosynthetic production in olive trees is a key feature in managing the effect of climate change on arid areas. Functional-structural plant modelling is a promising tool for achieving this goal. We used a photosynthetic sub-model that accounted for water and temperature stress and implemented it into LIGNUM model. We then conducted an experiment to validate the model at the leaf level using olive trees (Olea europaea) grown under various climatic condition. Then, we simulated photosynthetic production of three static olive tree models aged 1, 2, and 3 years. Results revealed a good fit between observed and predicted photosynthesis, with coefficient of determination (R2) values of 0.94 and 0.93 for Chemlali and Zarrazi cultivars, respectively. These results showed that the impact of water stress on photosynthetic production was marginal.