John D. Hesketh 1 Abstract Object oriented software for simulation of crop growth and phenology under field conditions has been developed for educational and research purposes. The software includes a data model and two application models, each of which has a user-friendly interface. The data model processes weather data, plant parameters, and other information, generating degree days, photoperiod, net radiation and other results. The application models simulate field physical and hydrological processes, and predict crop growth and phenological events according to temperature, photoperiod, water moisture and other field conditions. The models can share data and a project file controls the models.
Soybean is taken as an example crop.
The main topics covered in the software include field energy balance, evapotranspiration, soil water content, crop leaf expansion, internode development, flowering, and other vegetative and reproductive growth processes. Water stress effects are simulated using different irrigation schedules. The software can display or print inputted data and simulated results using both data tables and graphic windows. Functions for data comparison, X-Y plot, regression and curve fit are available for data analysis. Context sensitive help is also available.