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Simulation by NCSWAP of Seasonal Nitrogen Dynamics in Corn: II. Corn Growth and Yield
Author(s) -
Lengnick Laura L.,
Fox Richard H.
Publication year - 1994
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/agronj1994.00021962008600010031x
Subject(s) - crop , environmental science , simulation modeling , agronomy , crop simulation model , yield (engineering) , agriculture , crop yield , agricultural engineering , mathematics , biology , ecology , engineering , materials science , mathematical economics , metallurgy
The accurate simulation of crop growth is important in the effort to apply computer simulation models to improvements in the management of N resources in agricultural systems. The objective of this study was to validate the crop growth submodel of the model NCSWAP using seasonal corn ( Zea mays L.) growth and final grain yields from a 3‐yr N rate‐study conducted in central Pennsylvania. The results of the validation suggest that the model poorly simulated crop growth response under conditions of limited water or N availability. However, NCSWAP accurately simulated observed seasonal corn growth and harvested yields in treatments with no N or water limitations. The crop growth submodel has the potential to be useful in simulation of crop production, because with a minimum of inputs it can be calibrated for any crop and can incorporate variables that influence crop growth and are specific to a local environment. Improvements in the simulation of crop growth under N and water deficits would enhance the usefulness of NCSWAP to researchers exploring seasonal N cycling in soils and crops.