Biomechanics of a Bifurcating Green Plant, Part 2: Environmental Thermal Effects

The effects of environmental temperature differentials on the flow of soil mineral salt water in a bifurcating green plant is presented. The problem involves a set of non-linear differential equations tackled by means of a regular perturbation method. Expressions for the velocity, temperature and concentration, Nusselt number and Sherwood number are obtained, and analyzed graphically. The results indicate that the heat exchange parameter increases the temperature and Nusselt number, while the free convective forces increase the transport velocity and concentration. The increase in these flow variables has tremendous agricultural implications on the growth and productivity of plants (crops). In fact, their increase enhances the rate at which soil water and nutrients are made available to the plants, and this subsequently tends to improve the plant growth and productivity.