Abstract
ABSTRACT: Simulation models of crop growth enable estimating crop yield and water balance components with low cost and high precision. This study aimed to calibrate and evaluate the performance of the CS-CROPGRO model for common beans under the conditions of Jaboticabal city (SP), Brazil. The model was calibrated and tested with data previously collected from two experiments conducted in 2002 and 2003. In these experiments, treatments corresponded to two irrigation scheduling methods (tensiometers and class A pan evaporation) and two cropping systems (conventional and no-till). For calibration, data from the experiment carried out in 2002 were used. For testing, we used data from the experiment conducted in 2003. By using the genetic coefficients calibrated for cultivar IAC-Carioca, the model could correctly simulate phenology, leaf area, dry matter and grain yield during both, calibration and testing, under no-till and conventional systems, combined with tensiometer and class A pan irrigation scheduling methods. Conversely, the model did not show the same performance for soil moisture simulations.
Highlights
Despite the great importance for agricultural research, field experiments have great difficulties to be conducted given the time required or logistical difficulties
Computer models are alternative tools to predict crop yields as function of weather conditions and crop and soil management practices instantly (OLIVEIRA et al, 2012). Examples of such computer models are those included in the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT), which are able to simulate growth, development and water balance of different crops, in compliance with soil, plant and atmosphere characteristics (HOOGENBOOM et al, 2012)
The treatments consisted of two irrigation scheduling methods and two soil tillage systems: conventional till with tensiometer scheduling (CT-TENS), no-till with tensiometer scheduling (NTTENS), conventional till with class A pan evaporation (CT-CAP) and no-till with class A pan evaporation (NT-CAP)
Summary
Despite the great importance for agricultural research, field experiments have great difficulties to be conducted given the time required or logistical difficulties These studies are limited to answer promptly further questions generated, mainly involving weather and its interaction with crop production factors. Computer models are alternative tools to predict crop yields as function of weather conditions and crop and soil management practices instantly (OLIVEIRA et al, 2012) Examples of such computer models are those included in the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT), which are able to simulate growth, development and water balance of different crops, in compliance with soil, plant and atmosphere characteristics (HOOGENBOOM et al, 2012). Specific crop coefficients (provided in a program file) and genetic coefficients of cultivars (calibrated for the genotype of interest) enable simulations of further responses of a given cultivar under varied environmental conditions
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