UAL Crop Nitrogen and Irrigation Lab

Detailed knowledge of crop N uptake and water use (ETc) are essential information for optimal N and irrigation management of crops. In farming practice, N uptake and ETc vary appreciably between individual crops because of differences in planting dates, climate etc. Simulation models, with few and readily available inputs can provide accurate estimations of daily crop N uptake and ETc.

The VegSyst simulation model calculates crop N uptake, ETc and crop growth for green-house-grown vegetable crops. Its inputs are simple climatic data and planting date. Long term average climatic data can be used to develop a plan before planting. VegSyst has been calibrated and validated for tomato, pepper and melon. It is currently being calibrated for the rest of the major vegetable species in Almeria. VegSyst is being adapted to open field conditions. See Gallardo et al (2011) and Giménez et al. (2013).

EU-Rotate_N is a well-established model developed model developed to deal with different open field crops throughout Europe. EU-Rotate_N has been adapted to the conditions of greenhouse production in SE Spain. It has been calibrated and validated for tomato, pepper and melon. EU-Rotate_N simulates crop N uptake, ETc, growth, fruit production, drainage, nitrate leaching and mineral N in soil. It is a particularly useful model to demonstrate to growers and policy makers how different crop management scenarios influence production and nitrate loss the environment.

Internationally, CropSyst is one of the most important crop simulation models. It has been used mostly with cereal crops. Currently, in collaborative work with Washington State University and the University of Cordoba, it is being adapted to vegetable crops, including greenhouse grown crops.