Derivation of a dual porosity model for the uptake of nutrients by root hairs

Abstract

Root hairs are thought to play an important role in mediating nutrient uptake by plants. We develop a mathematical model for the nutrient transport and uptake in the root hair zone of a single root in the soil. Nutrients are assumed to diffuse both in the soil fluid phase and within the soil particles. Nutrients can also be bound to the soil particle surfaces by reversible reactions. Using homogenization techniques we derive a macroscopic dual porosity model for nutrient diffusion and reaction in the soil which includes the effect of all root hair surfaces.