Articles
ECOFERT: an eco-physiological model for assessing nitrogen fertilization strategies in horticultural crops
Article number
1426_70
Pages
511 – 518
Language
English
Abstract
This study elaborated a process-based model (ECOFERT) to investigate the dynamic interactions between soil conditions, crop development, weather and horticultural management.
The simulation of the soil processes is based on the WAVE model; using the 1-dimensional Richards equations for water flow combined Weynants pedo-transfer functions for the parameterization of the van Genuchten water retention curve.
Nutrient- and heat-transport is modelled by diffusion equations.
The crop module simulates gross photosynthesis, maintenance- and growth respiration, biomass partitioning into growing plant organs, leaf area and nitrogen demand per organ, driven by the critical N-curve.
A pseudo 2D-root development model was designed to describe vertical and horizontal root length distribution, allowing the simulation of spatial heterogeneous rooting systems.
The FAO 56, adapted Penmann-Monteith approach, was used for evapotranspiration.
To extend the applicability of the model, the ECOFERT model was calibrated and evaluated on a data set of multiple soil conditions and fertilization strategies, over two years of leek cropping.
The data of 56 plots, acquired in 2019, was used to calibrate the model and the data acquired in 2020 (36 field plots) to evaluate the model.
During the growing season, the crop dry biomass, N-uptake, and the mineral nitrogen dynamics in three soil layers (0-30, 30-60, and 60-90 cm) were monitored.
The results showed that the model accurately simulated the leek dry biomass and N-uptake across all calibration and evaluation experiments.
The ECOFERT model also satisfactory simulated the soil nitrate dynamics with comparable accuracy for calibration and evaluation.
However, the model performance for soil nitrogen simulation was less consistent across all experiments.
This might be attributed to the accumulation of modelling errors through the soil profile and considerable measurement uncertainty of soil nitrate.
This study showed that the ECOFERT-model is an accurate tool to predict growth and development, as well as N-leaching of vegetable crops.
The simulation of the soil processes is based on the WAVE model; using the 1-dimensional Richards equations for water flow combined Weynants pedo-transfer functions for the parameterization of the van Genuchten water retention curve.
Nutrient- and heat-transport is modelled by diffusion equations.
The crop module simulates gross photosynthesis, maintenance- and growth respiration, biomass partitioning into growing plant organs, leaf area and nitrogen demand per organ, driven by the critical N-curve.
A pseudo 2D-root development model was designed to describe vertical and horizontal root length distribution, allowing the simulation of spatial heterogeneous rooting systems.
The FAO 56, adapted Penmann-Monteith approach, was used for evapotranspiration.
To extend the applicability of the model, the ECOFERT model was calibrated and evaluated on a data set of multiple soil conditions and fertilization strategies, over two years of leek cropping.
The data of 56 plots, acquired in 2019, was used to calibrate the model and the data acquired in 2020 (36 field plots) to evaluate the model.
During the growing season, the crop dry biomass, N-uptake, and the mineral nitrogen dynamics in three soil layers (0-30, 30-60, and 60-90 cm) were monitored.
The results showed that the model accurately simulated the leek dry biomass and N-uptake across all calibration and evaluation experiments.
The ECOFERT model also satisfactory simulated the soil nitrate dynamics with comparable accuracy for calibration and evaluation.
However, the model performance for soil nitrogen simulation was less consistent across all experiments.
This might be attributed to the accumulation of modelling errors through the soil profile and considerable measurement uncertainty of soil nitrate.
This study showed that the ECOFERT-model is an accurate tool to predict growth and development, as well as N-leaching of vegetable crops.
Publication
Authors
J. Haumont, E. Schrevens, J. Diels, P. Lootens, T. De Cuypere, O. Bes, J. Bodyn, W. Saeys
Keywords
horticulture, soil nitrogen, crop modelling, calibration, water dynamics
Groups involved
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Working Group Nettings in Horticulture (subgroup of Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates)
- Working Group Light in Horticulture
- Working Group Organic Greenhouse Horticulture
- Working Group Vegetable Grafting
- Working Group Modelling Plant Growth, Environmental Control, Greenhouse Environment
- Working Group Protected Cultivation, Nettings and Screens for Mild Climates
- Working Group Computational Fluid Dynamics in Agriculture
- Working Group Design and Automation in Integrated Indoor Production Systems
- Working Group Mechanization, Digitization, Sensing and Robotics
- Working Group Greenhouse Environment and Climate Control
- Division Landscape and Urban Horticulture
- Commission Agroecology and Organic Farming Systems
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Working Group Vertical Farming
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