Dynamics Simulation of Radial Flow Water in Aerial Roots of Corn by Deposit of Dew in Atmosphere Aerial Roots Continuum

Abstract

Maize plants have different aerial roots from those that serve as an anchor and develop on the stem and live in the atmosphere. Much literature has reported that aerial roots are able to absorb moisture from the air, and even reduce water loss. But very little is known about the exchange of condensed atmospheric water between the aerial roots and the surrounding air. The main purpose of this article is to simulate the absorption of condensed atmospheric moisture by the aerial roots of corn plants. The evaluation of the amount of dew deposited on the roots and the radial water flow through the root is made using the Penman-Monteith equation and the Fick’s law correlated with the Ohm’s law respectively. The various simulations prove that the aerial roots condense atmospheric humidity and that the latter have expressed the transpiration function for certain angles of inclination with a particularity for the inclination of 30° which, from a certain amount of dew expressed the function of dew absorption. On the other hand, for other inclinations, the roots expressed the function of the absorption of humidity with an optimization for the inclination of 60 °. The absorption and transpiration mechanism needs further studies in the future about the characteristics of the radial conductivity through the parameters which influence the coefficient of radial conductivity in the terminal parts of the root than in the lateral parts. In addition, the comparative study of the Priestley-Taylor and Penman-Monteith models is necessary to better understanding of the specific parameters.