The plant scientist is shown how to express physiological ideas mathematically and how to deduce quantitative conclusions, which can then be compared with experiment. There is little new biology in the book, but it is presented in a way which will be new to many biologists. The book is divided into three parts. Part I. Covers subjects of wide relevance to modelling and plant biology. However, the whole-plant modeller will need to study all chapters, and the plant ecosystem modeller may need to add other material also.
Plant morphology is at an introductory level.
It is included because morphological characters may prove to be of equal importance to some physiological traits in determining plant function and performance. This textbook presents, in an interesting and clearly written fashion, a mathematical approach to a wide range of topics in plant and crop physiology, including light interception, leaf and canopy photosynthesis, respiration, partitioning, transpiration and water relations, branching and phyllotaxis. The biochemistry of plant growth and maintenanace is also presented in some detail. I was very pleased with the text, especially with the philosophy presented by the authors that biological models are necessarily simlifications of complex detail. I would strongly recommend it for reading and consultation by graduates and research workers.