Articles
The VegSyst model and VegSyst-DSS – an overview
Article number
1437_34
Pages
269 – 276
Language
English
Abstract
The decision support system (DSS) VegSyst-DSS v2 has been developed to provide nutrient and irrigation recommendations for fertigated vegetable crops grown in soil in greenhouses in southeastern (SE) Spain.
A characteristic of soil-based cropping in this vegetable production system is the application of nutrients, on the basis of concentration, in all irrigations, which are normally every 1-4 days.
The DSS provides recommendations of 1) concentrations of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in applied nutrient solution (in mmol L‑1); 2) daily N, P, K, Ca and Mg requirements (in kg ha‑1); and 3) daily irrigation volume.
The DSS incorporates the VegSyst v3 simulation model which simulates daily crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and daily crop nutrient uptake based on climatic data and cropping dates.
The ETc and crop nutrient uptake results from model simulation are input into the DSS component.
The DSS component then calculates N requirement (kg ha‑1) using a N balance (from soil analysis and data of manure application), and P, K, Ca and Mg requirements (kg ha‑1) considering soil available/exchangeable content (from soil analysis) and crop uptake (from the model). The recommended daily concentrations of N, P, K, Ca and Mg (in mmol L‑1) are calculated by dividing the calculated nutrient requirement by ETc.
For practical use, four-weekly concentrations are calculated.
For practical irrigation recommendations, weekly volumes are provided.
The DSS provides crop and site specific recommendations.
The DSS requires information on general soil parameters such as texture and organic matter, a recent soil nutrient analysis (NO3–, available P, exchangeable cations), manure application, roof white-washing and the irrigation layout.
Apps for mobile phones and web-based programs have been developed.
Field studies in soil-grown tomato in commercial greenhouses in several Mediterranean countries have demonstrated the potential for substantial reduction of applied nutrients.
A characteristic of soil-based cropping in this vegetable production system is the application of nutrients, on the basis of concentration, in all irrigations, which are normally every 1-4 days.
The DSS provides recommendations of 1) concentrations of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in applied nutrient solution (in mmol L‑1); 2) daily N, P, K, Ca and Mg requirements (in kg ha‑1); and 3) daily irrigation volume.
The DSS incorporates the VegSyst v3 simulation model which simulates daily crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and daily crop nutrient uptake based on climatic data and cropping dates.
The ETc and crop nutrient uptake results from model simulation are input into the DSS component.
The DSS component then calculates N requirement (kg ha‑1) using a N balance (from soil analysis and data of manure application), and P, K, Ca and Mg requirements (kg ha‑1) considering soil available/exchangeable content (from soil analysis) and crop uptake (from the model). The recommended daily concentrations of N, P, K, Ca and Mg (in mmol L‑1) are calculated by dividing the calculated nutrient requirement by ETc.
For practical use, four-weekly concentrations are calculated.
For practical irrigation recommendations, weekly volumes are provided.
The DSS provides crop and site specific recommendations.
The DSS requires information on general soil parameters such as texture and organic matter, a recent soil nutrient analysis (NO3–, available P, exchangeable cations), manure application, roof white-washing and the irrigation layout.
Apps for mobile phones and web-based programs have been developed.
Field studies in soil-grown tomato in commercial greenhouses in several Mediterranean countries have demonstrated the potential for substantial reduction of applied nutrients.
Publication
Authors
M. Gallardo, R.B. Thompson
Keywords
vegetable production, fertigation, greenhouse, nutrient management, decision support system, fertilisers
Online Articles (57)