Multiscale Analysis Of Nutrient Uptake By Plant Roots With Sparse Distribution Of Root Hairs: Nonstandard Scaling

In this paper we undertake a multiscale analysis of nutrient uptake by plant roots by considering different scale relations between the radius of root hairs and the distance between them. We combine the method of formal asymptotic expansions and rigorous derivation of macroscopic equations. The former prompt us to study a distinguished limit (which yields a distinct effective equation), allow us to determine higher-order correctors, and provide motivation for the construction of correctors essential for rigorous derivation of macroscopic equations. The results of our asymptotic analysis are validated by direct comparison with full-geometry numerical simulations.