In these soils, the amount of fertilizer applied is furthermore usually high due to low fertility. In traditional irrigation systems, nitrate concentration in the soil solution can vary much according to the amount of soil water present. Fertility management of drip-irrigated vegetables. The use of computer models in calculating fertilizer recommendations and in interpreting field experiment data was discussed at a meeting at Wellesbourne in the U. K., November 1997. Computer models are useful tools for interpreting experimental data, for understanding the soil-plant system and for repeated calculations of different scenarios of fertilizer advice.
Numerous models simulating plant growth and nutrient cycling in fields are currently available.
However, few models are available for horticultural crops. Validation of computer models using experimental data is very important and is as yet only partially achieved. One goal of enveg is to identify and describe suitable sources of data, which can validate existing simulation models and improve future models for vegetable crops. Data from the Netherlands is being processed and will be added. On completion, this information will be made available on the enveg internet site.