ABSTRACT
Manipulation of plant architecture is a major area in plant science which is currently adopted for productivity improvement by breeders, agronomists, horticulturists and landscape managers. However, the basis for such manipulation lies in the knowledge of the basic architecture of plants and its significance. Architectural model is a physical representation of a structure. In plants, it explains the inherent growth strategy that defines both the manner in which a plant elaborates its form and the resulting architecture. Plant morphology has been considered as the ‘inspiring soul’ of plant architecture studies. Diversity of plant architecture results from the differences in plant morphological traits categorized as phyllotaxis, branching pattern, floral differentiation of axes and root architecture. Plant architecture can be modified by climatic factors, agronomic factors and by various human practices. High density planting of fruit orchards is a commercial activity which is gaining a lot of attention in current day agricultural practices.
