Modelling nitrogen dynamics in citrus trees (Q596932)

The authors formulate a mathematical model for the amount of nitrogen in various parts (roots, leaves etc.) of citrus trees. The model is based on considering the tree as a system with 12 compartments in which the amount of nitrogen may change every day. Moreover, the system is periodic with 365 days as period. From this, there results a discrete-time linear control system \[ x(k+1)=A(k)x(k)+Bu(k)\qquad A(0)=A(365),\quad B\text{ const}, x\in \mathbb{R}^{12} \] with a single input \(u\) (the amount of nitrogen applied to the soil). The system matrices \(A(k)\) vary with time but take on only 6 different values corresponding to the six seasons of growth. Moreover, all of them have special structures. The unknown coefficients of the model are calculated from measured data and using simulation via Matlab. Then, properties such as controllability and stability of this system are analyzed using results from control theory and taking into account the special structure of the system matrices.