Many of the modern research topics, including global food security, adaptation to climate change, Gene X Environment evaluation and natural resource management require detailed models of plant growth and development with responses to a wide range of variables. Many different modelling approaches are being employed to provide the required level of model functionality. These approaches include functional-structural plant models, Object Oriented or component-based designs or declarative model design just to name a few. This session will explore the range of plant modelling approaches currently employed and their usefulness in addressing the simulation requirements for important research areas.