Premium
A Modular Structure for Crop Simulation Models: Implemented in the SIMPOTATO Model
Author(s) -
Hodges Tom,
Johnson Scott Lee,
Johnson Brad S.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1992.00021962008400050027x
Subject(s) - modular design , modularity (biology) , computer science , initialization , subroutine , programming language , biology , genetics
A highly modular structure has been developed for crop growth simulation models and implemented in the SIMPOTATO model, a model based on the standards of the IBSNAT (International Benchmarks Sites Network for Agrotechnology Transfer) project. The model structure features top‐down design, modularity, high cohesiveness, loose coupling, and data hiding. SIMPOTATO is composed of (i) an upper level module to run the model, (ii) an experiment selection module, (iii) an initialization module, (iv) a simulator module, (v) the crop and soil processes module, (vi) a start/stop module, (vii) a report writing module, and (viii) a graphic display module. Each module is composed of one or more subroutines and functions. Such a modular structure facilitates transferring improvements between models, combining models into multi‐crop models and crop/pest models, and modifying models for new applications.