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A Design for a Modular, Generic Soil Simulator to Interface with Plant Models
Author(s) -
Timlin Dennis,
Pachepsky Yakov A.,
Acock Basil
Publication year - 1996
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/agronj1996.00021962008800020008x
Subject(s) - modular design , interface (matter) , reuse , computer science , transformation (genetics) , grid , code reuse , process (computing) , distributed computing , simulation , computational science , engineering , programming language , mathematics , operating system , bubble , maximum bubble pressure method , biochemistry , chemistry , geometry , waste management , gene
The various linkages in agricultural systems are so complex that research questions are often studied via simulation modeling. The development and upgrading of detailed models requires a large investment of time and resources; therefore, it is necessary to simplify the process of building the model and incorporating modifications as research finds new information to include. The goal of this study was to develop the framework for a generic soil simulator that could easily be modified and incorporated into crop models. Soil and root processes are represented by modules that interact on the spatial—temporal grid covering the soil profile and the simulated time interval. Data were divided into public and private components, to minimize information passing between modules. This modular structure and information hiding simplifies replacement or addition of modules and promotes code reuse. The classes of modules include (i) control modules that oversee interactions between processes, (ii) water, solute, heat, and gas transport modules, (iii) interphase chemical transformation modules, (iv) biochemical transformation modules, and (v) root growth and uptake modules. A representative simulator, 2DSOIL, was assembled according to the proposed design. Examples include the incorporation into a simple crop model and the expansion of 2DSOIL with a management module to simulate chemical application.