Overview of IBSNAT

Abstract

Understanding Options for Agricultural Production is a synthesis of a global multidisciplinary network of scientists from around the world. This book describes the outputs of the IBSNAT network, including topics on data standards and the minimum data set, crop simulation models of major food crops, and application programs to assess risk resulting from implementation of different management options and strategies. These outputs were integrated into a single portable and functional software product referred to as DSSAT (Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer). Complete descriptions of the CERES, CROPGRO, SUBSTOR, and CROPSIM models in DSSAT are presented for the first time by their developers. Applications of these models and DSSAT to explore options and outcomes, ranging from irrigation and fertilizer management at the plot level, to global climate change studies at the country level, are presented by users of the systems approach to agricultural production and development in both developing and more developed countries. Overview of IBSNAT -- Data for model operation, calibration, and evaluation -- Soil water balance and plant water stress -- Nitrogen balance and crop response to nitrogen in upland and lowland cropping systems -- Cereal growth, development and yield -- The CROPGRO model for grain legumes -- Modeling growth and development of root and tuber crops -- Decision support system for agrotechnology transfer; DSSAT v3 -- Modeling and crop improvement -- Simulation as a tool for improving nitrogen management -- The use of a crop simulation model for planning wheat irrigation in Zimbabwe -- Simulation of pest effects on crops using coupled pest-crop models: the potential for decision support -- The use of crop models for international climate change impact assessment -- Evaluation of land resources using crop models and a GIS -- The simulation of cropping sequences using DSSAT -- Risk assessment and food security -- Incorporating farm household decision-making within whole farm models -- Network management and information dissemination for agrotechnology transfer -- Crop simulation models as an educational tool -- Synthesis.