Integration of a cropping systems simulation model and a relational database for simple farm-scale analyses
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2007
Citazione:
Integration of a cropping systems simulation model and a relational database for simple farm-scale analyses / L. Bechini, C. O. Stöckle. - In: AGRONOMY JOURNAL. - ISSN 0002-1962. - 99:5(2007), pp. 1226-1237.
Abstract:
Agricultural simulation models are important tools in research, extension, policy formulation, and teaching. Their integration with relational databases allows carrying out complex and comprehensive
data analyses of model inputs and outputs. In this article, we describe
the integration of a dynamic cropping systems simulation model
(CropSystVB) and a relational database (Microsoft Access), with the
aim of developing a tool for simple applications at the farm scale.
The data model, designed with the entity–relationship framework,
represents the structure of the data and allows for organized and retrievable
storage of inputs and outputs of the simulation model. In
addition to standard CropSystVB’s inputs (soil, crop, weather, management
events), the integrated tool also requires input data to describe
the nutrients produced by livestock and allows for spatially
variable fields, soils, and management options. Farm simulation scenarios
can be defined, including the actual and alternative configurations
of animal breeds, rotations, and crop management. One or more
rotations can be simulated for each scenario; each rotation is located
on a homogeneous area (a field, or part of it, or a group of fields);
each area is described with relevant soil and weather inputs. The
Microsoft Access implementation of the integrated tool (www.bsyse.
wsu.edu/cropsyst; verified 15 June 2007) includes a Visual Basic for
Applications version of the model and tables and forms to store and
manage data. An example simulation in an animal farm with six scenarios,
obtained by the combination of three animal loads and two irrigation
systems (surface and sprinkler), is presented to illustrate its use.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
Cropping Systems ; Farming Systems ; Precision Farming ; Relational databases ; Simulation models ; Sustainability
Elenco autori:
L. Bechini, C. O. Stöckle
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