Modeling of Agricultural Systems [AGS721]
LAB 1
On hand experience on model application:
Introduction to CERES-Rice Model
Objectives:
1. To introduce CERES-Rice model as an example
of mechanistic model as well as its application.
2. To conduct experiment using model as a tool.
3. Allow students to get hand on experience
running a model and using other computer software e.g. MS-Word, MS-Exel
etc. to generate report.
Exercise:
In reality, rice growth and development express differently depending upon various levels of inputs e.g. environmental inputs (temperature, sunshine, soil type and nutrient) management inputs (fertilizer, irrigation, planting date, cultivar, plant density etc.). Hence, in order to investigate response of rice to various inputs level it is necessary to conduct field experiment as to collect observed data and compare the response of different treatments. CERES-Rice model is an mechanistic model that represents rice plant. It combines processes related to rice growth and development e.g. photosynthesis, respiration, photosynthate partitioning, and phenological processes etc.. Running this model could simulate rice growth and development as well as the response of rice to various inputs. Thus we can conduct experment testing response of rice growth and development to various treatments using CERES-Rice model instead of real field experiment.
In this exercise, you will learn how to conduct experiment of your own regarding to rice as a main subject. Do define your own treatments, run the model with your treatments and compare results (it could be yield, yield components, phenology etc.). Present your results in report form. Thus you may use some other computer software to generate a good report. Do also summarize how you can apply such crop model in the real word.
References:
G.Y. Tsuji, G. Uehara and S. Balas (eds.) 1994. DSSAT v3. Vol. 1-3. University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Web site: