Articles
REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY “CROP GROWTH MODELS”
Two main type of crop models can be distinguished, regression ("black-box") models and dynamic (explanatory) models.
Properties and advantages and dis-advantages of these categories of models with respect to climate control and research are briefly reviewed.
Optimalization of climate control in greenhouses is a complicated problem.
In order to reduce its complexity, the system is described as a hierarchical set of sub-systems.
At the lowest level climate control in a strict sense is optimalized.
At the intermediate level optimal set-points are calculated within the boundaries dictated by the top level, using crop growth models for the evaluation of the reactions of growth processes with a short relaxation time (<24h). Optimal average set-points are calculated at the top level with the aid of crop growth models that describe long-term (>24h) aspects of crop response to the environment.