The simulations include both crop production and the fate of fertilizers and pesticides that affect water quality in the root zone, surface runoff, and, eventually, groundwater. The model can be used to evaluate production and environmental impacts of alternate methods of applying these chemicals, tillage, irrigation, and crop rotations for multiple years. Thus, one can select the best management practices for different agro-climate conditions. The framework includes farm, ranch or integrated farming systems, with tillage or no-tillage, residue, weed, fertilizer, and pest management. The analysis encompasses production, economics and environmental impacts.
Decision support is provided through comparing alternate systems and management strategies.
The framework consists of an object-oriented structure integrating the user interface, science modules, databases, an economic budgeting package, and a visualization package. Additional complimentary features are a current research information database and a record keeping component. GIS-based spatial analysis and visualization will be added later. We are collaborating with USGS and German scientists in developing an improved version of this system that will operate cross-platform, on PC, Unix and others. This version will also have a flexible, modular user interface and allow greater interaction between modules.