Predicting Cyperus esculentus Biomass Using Tiller Number: A Comparative Analysis of Growth Models

Ya Ding, Yan Lu, Akash Tariq, Fanjiang Zeng (), Yanju Gao, Jordi Sardans, Dhafer A. Al-Bakre and Josep Peñuelas
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Ya Ding: College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830011, China
Yan Lu: Xinjiang Key Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration Laboratory, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
Akash Tariq: Xinjiang Key Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration Laboratory, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
Fanjiang Zeng: College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830011, China
Yanju Gao: College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830011, China
Jordi Sardans: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Global Ecology Unit, Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (CREAF-CSIC-UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Dhafer A. Al-Bakre: Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71421, Saudi Arabia
Josep Peñuelas: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Global Ecology Unit, Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (CREAF-CSIC-UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: Cyperus esculentus , a drought-resistant Cyperaceae with ecological and economic value (stems/leaves as feed, tubers as oil source), stabilizes arid soils through its extensive root system. Understanding its biomass allocation strategies is crucial for comprehending carbon storage in arid environments. The results showed that allometric models best described leaf biomass, while Gompertz and logistic models provided superior accuracy (evaluated using R 2 , p -value, AIC, RMSE, and RSS) for estimating root, tuber, and whole plant biomass. In our study, the equilibrium biomass showed that underground (74.29 g and 64.22 g) was superior to aboveground (63.63 g and 58.72 g); and the growth rate showed the same result, underground (0.112 and 0.055) surpassed aboveground (0.083 and 0.046). The initial inflection point (POI1 = 11) suggests that leaves are prioritized in acquiring limited resources to support growth. In conclusion, the tiller number is a reliable predictor for developing robust biomass models for C. esculentus . The Gompertz model is best for leaves, roots, and total biomass, while the logistic model is optimal for predicting tuber biomass in arid areas. The tiller number is a reliable predictor for developing robust biomass models for C. esculentus . The research findings have supplied useful insights into the growth modifications, production potential, and management experience gained from Cyperus esculentus plant agriculture.

Keywords: Cyperus esculentus; biomass model; balanced biomass; growth rate; point of inflections (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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