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Simulating Alamo Switchgrass with the ALMANAC Model
Author(s) -
Kiniry James R.,
Sanderson Matt A.,
Williams Jimmy R.,
Tischler Charles R.,
Hussey Mark A.,
Ocumpaugh William R.,
Read James C.,
Van Esbroeck George,
Reed Roderick L.
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/agronj1996.00021962008800040018x
Subject(s) - panicum virgatum , environmental science , panicum , biomass (ecology) , forage , leaf area index , agronomy , range (aeronautics) , bioenergy , nutrient management , agriculture , agroforestry , ecology , biology , biofuel , engineering , aerospace engineering
A model for forage yield with adequate details for leaf area, biomass, nutrients, and hydrology would be valuable for making management decisions. The objectives of this study were to develop Alamo switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.) parameters for the Agricultural Land Management Alternatives with Numerical Assessment Criteria (ALMANAC) model and demonstrate its accuracy across a wide range of environments. Derived plant parameters included potential leaf area index (LAI), potential biomass growth per unit intercepted light, optimum nutrient concentrations, and growth responses to temperature. The model's simulated yields accounted for 79% of the variability in measured yields for one‐cut and two‐cut harvest systems from six diverse sites in Texas in 1993 and 1994. Simulated yields for three locations differed in sensitivity to potential LAI, heat units to maturity, radiation use efficiency (RUE), and soil depth. The ALMANAC model shows promise as a management tool for this important forage and bioenergy crop.