Simulation Cropping Systems

Responsible: Prof. Dr. S. Asseng

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. S. Asseng. and M.Sc. R. De Souza Noia Junior

Language: English

Level: Master

Credits: 5 ECTS

Teaching: Lecture + Exercise

The module includes aspects of the yield physiology of crops: C-balance (photosynthesis, respiration, C-allocation), water balance, light uptake, growth and development and model representations of these components in a cropping system with numerical solutions, crop models and coding in R. The course will contain two components. First, students will be exposed to basic concepts of systems analysis, modeling and computer simulation of agricultural and biological systems. Emphasis will be placed on continuous simulation of dynamic models with examples that give students a broad exposure to dynamic simulation models. An overview of applications of models in agricultural and biological systems will be given. Basics of working with R and a simple crop model developed in R will be taught via e-learning tools and seminars during this first half of the semester. The second part of the course will introduce students to a simple dynamic crop simulation model. They will apply their knowledge of R and the simple crop model in R, to modify the model and apply it for a class projects. Lectures will expose the students to various methods for working with dynamic models, including parameter estimation, model evaluation, and sensitivity analysis which they will apply in a project work. Students will also be exposed to uncertainties in models associated with uncertainties in model parameters, inputs, and structure.