Modelling Effect of Toxic Metal on the Individual Plant Growth: A Two Compartment Model

A two compartment mathematical model for the individual plant growth under the stress of toxic metal is studied. In the model it is assumed that the uptake of toxic metal adsorbed on the surface of soil by the plant is through root compartment thereby decreasing the root dry weight and shoot dry weight due to decrease in nutrient concentration in each compartment. In order to visualize the effect of toxic metal on plant growth, we have studied two models that is, model for plant growth with no toxic effect and model for plant growth with toxic effect. From the analysis of the models the criteria for plant growth with and without toxic effects are derived. The numerical simulation is done using Matlab to support the analytical results.