J. Goudriaan, prof.dr. J. Goudriaan, prof.dr. This course is an advanced continuation of the course in Crop Ecology, and aims at formulating crop physiological ideas into various dynamic models. In the introduction to systems analysis, notions such as system, model, simulation, states and rates, feedback, time coefficient, relational diagram, dimensional analysis and numerical integration are illustrated using simple systems.
Attention is given to writing of simulation models that are used to analyse the systems.
In the application section, insight in the epidemiology of injurious organisms is combined with insight in the relation between injury and damage, to design improved crop protection strategies including plant breeding, using a systems approach. In each block theoretical concepts are illustrated with examples of increasing complexity and with case studies presented by guest lecturers. R. Rabbinge, S.A. Ward and H.H. Van Laar. The increasing role of weeds in various agro-ecosystems will be discussed. Attention will be focused on the biology and ecology of weeds.