Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
finding solutions in the complex problem of weather, soil
and crop management
3. When policy makers and administrators need simple
tools that can assist them in policy management in agri-
cultural meteorology
The potential uses of crop growth models for practical appli-
cations are as follows.
On-farm
decision making
and agronomic
management
The models allow the evaluation of one or more options that
are available with respect to one or more agronomic decisions
such as
•
Determining the optimum planting date as shown in
Figures 3.4 and 3.5
•
Determining the best choice of cultivars
•
Evaluating weather risk
•
Investment decisions
Crop growth models can be used to predict crop perfor-
mance in regions where the crop has not been grown before
or not grown under optimal conditions. A model can calculate
the probabilities of grain yield levels for a given soil type based
on rainfall. Investment decisions such as purchase of irrigation
systems can be taken with an eye on long-term usage of the
equipment thus acquired.
Under standing
of research
In agrometeorological research, the crop models basically
help in
•
Testing scientific hypothesis
•
Highlighting when information is missing
•
Organising data
Date of transplanting
Simulated
Observed
% of Error
5th July
4271
4110
3.7
15th July
3624
3460
4.5
25th July
3599
3290
8.0
Error percentage increases with delay in transplanting.
FIGURe 3.4
Comparison of observed with simulated values
of yield in kg/ha of rice at different dates of transplanting.
