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Title: MODELING A WHEAT-MAIZE DOUBLE CROPPING SYSTEM IN CHINA USING TWO PLANT GROWTH MODULES WITH RZWQM

Author
item YU, QIANG - CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENC
item SASEENDRAN, S - COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
item Ma, Liwang
item Flerchinger, Gerald
item Green, Timothy
item Ahuja, Lajpat

Submitted to: Agricultural Systems
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/27/2005
Publication Date: 9/1/2006
Citation: Yu, Q., Saseendran, S.A., Ma, L., Flerchinger, G.N., Green, T.R., Ahuja, L.R. 2006. Modeling a wheat-maize double cropping system in china using two plant growth modules with rzwqm. Agricultural Systems. 89(2-3):457-477.2006.

Interpretive Summary: Agricultural system models are potential tools for evaluating soil-water-nutrient management in intensive cropping systems. In this study, we calibrated and validated two plant growth modules with RZWQM for simulation of a winter wheat -maize double cropping system in the Northern China Plain (NCP). One was the generic plant growth module released with RZWQM and the other was CERES-maize (CERES-wheat) linked to RZWQM recently. The experimental data were collected at Yucheng Experimental Station in the NCP from 1997 to 2001 with field measurement of evapotranspiration (ET), soil water, soil temperature, leaf area index (LAI), biomass, and grain yield. Both plant modules were calibrated to similar accuracy for the 1998 '1999 winter wheat-maize growing seasons and were then simulated continuously from 1997 to 2001 for validation purpose. Simulations of LAI, ET, soil water, and soil temperature were comparable regardless of plant growth modules used. However, the CERES plant module predicted grain yield slightly better than the generic plant module, whereas the generic plant growth module simulated plant biomass slightly better than the CERES plant module. Simulation results showed that both plant modules were equally capable of simulating the intensified cropping system in China once they were calibrated for the local weather and soil conditions.

Technical Abstract: Agricultural system models are potential tools for evaluating soil-water-nutrient management in intensive cropping systems. In this study, we calibrated and validated two plant growth modules with RZWQM for simulation of a winter wheat -maize double cropping system in the Northern China Plain (NCP). One was the generic plant growth module released with RZWQM and the other was CERES-maize (CERES-wheat) linked to RZWQM recently. The experimental data were collected at Yucheng Experimental Station in the NCP from 1997 to 2001 with field measurement of evapotranspiration (ET), soil water, soil temperature, leaf area index (LAI), biomass, and grain yield. Both plant modules were calibrated to similar accuracy for the 1998 '1999 winter wheat-maize growing seasons and were then simulated continuously from 1997 to 2001 for validation purpose. Simulations of LAI, ET, soil water, and soil temperature were comparable regardless of plant growth modules used. However, the CERES plant module predicted grain yield slightly better than the generic plant module, whereas the generic plant growth module simulated plant biomass slightly better than the CERES plant module. Simulation results showed that both plant modules were equally capable of simulating the intensified cropping system in China once they were calibrated for the local weather and soil conditions.