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Development of a Crop Simulation Model for Zoning of Castor (Ricinus communis L.) in Indonesia
Abstract:
A crop simulation model is one of the decision support tools that can be employed to conduct planning and agro-climatic zoning quantitatively. This research aimed to construct a crop simulation model of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) comprising crop development, crop growth, and water balance. The model can then be used as a basis for crop management and zoning.
This research conducted field experiments at two locations—in Malang, East Java and Sukamandi, West Java, which have distinct elevations. The purpose was to obtain significant air temperature difference to derive crop development parameters required by the model. The experiment employed a split-plot design.
The experiment in Malang had four nitrogen treatments and two cultivars (ASB 81 and ASB 60), while in Sukamandi, there were three water treatments and the same cultivars. The purpose was to obtain a range of environmental conditions (water and nitrogen) and genetic factor (cultivar) affecting crop growth as a basis for testing the model.
The measurements included weather variables (rainfall, air temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed), soil water and mineral nitrogen content, and crop variables (biomass of leaf, stem, root and kernel, leaf area index, and phonological phases).
Nitrogen and water treatment did not affect crop development except the one between early flower and anthesis. On the other hand, nitrogen and water significantly affected crop growth. In addition, the difference of soil water between Malang and Sukamandi locations had caused distinct growth. Biomasses of crop organs at Sukamandi were much less compared with that in Malang due to water stress.
“Thermal unit” as a parameter or constant can be used in modeling of crop development, while responses of crop growth to water and nitrogen availability should be the basis for simulating crop growth in response to water and nitrogen.