ARS | Publication request: USING RZWQM TO SIMULATE WATER, NITROGEN, AND PLANTING DATE EFFECTS ON CORN, SOYBEAN, AND WINTER WHEAT PRODUCTION IN NORTHEAST COLORADO

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: April 15, 2004
Publication Date: April 20, 2004
Citation: Nielsen, D.C., Ma, L., Anapalli, S., Ahuja, L.R. 2004. Using RZWQM to simulate water, nitrogen, and planting date effects on corn, soybean, and winter wheat production in Northeast Colorado. International Workshop on Application, Enhancements and Collaborations of ARS RZQWM Models, Fort Collins, CO, April 20-22, 2004. p. 24-25.

Technical Abstract: Extending research results obtained in northeast Colorado to the various climate and soils areas of the central Great Plains requires the use of systems models such as the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM). This paper presents calibration and validation results from the generic crop model contained within RZWQM for corn, soybean and winter wheat under varying water availability, plant population, and nitrogen fertility conditions. The model adequately simulated corn and soybean yield under a range of water availability conditions. Corn yields were also simulated well for corn hybrids of varying maturity length and widely separated planting dates. RZWQM simulated winter wheat yields with varying levels of success under a range of fertilizer N application rates, but improvements to the model for simulating this crop may need to be made.