Keywords

Integrative approach; Procedural Languages; Database design; Model coupling.

Location

Session A2: Interoperability, Reusability, and Integrated Systems

Start Date

11-7-2016 2:50 PM

End Date

11-7-2016 3:10 PM

Abstract

The usefulness of crop simulation models for understanding and transferring agricultural technology is widely acknowledged. The decision support system for agrotechnology transfer (DSSAT) has been in use for the last 3 decades by researchers worldwide. The DSSAT-Cropping System Model (CSM) is a general model for simulating crop growth and development, as well as the soil and plant water, nitrogen phosphorus, and carbon dynamics. The DSSAT-CSM comprises a suite of crop simulation models, including the CSM-CROPSIM wheat. However, depending on the type and number of simulations, it is usually necessary to handle large volumes of input and output data. A database management system (DBMS) provides technological resources and accessible methods for handling big data. In this study, we integrate simulation models with a DBMS and we demonstrate the advantages of this approach. We present a database called AgroDB that acts as a generic tool for crop simulation model users, which facilitates input data quality control, tracks the users selections during simulation model parameterization, and enables the visual analysis of simulation model outcomes. In addition, the system serves as communication route for model coupling. We describe a proof of concept application of the database management system approach and evaluate how well our approach meets its goals.

Share

COinS
 
Jul 11th, 2:50 PM Jul 11th, 3:10 PM

AgroDB – Integration of Database Management Systems with Crop Models

Session A2: Interoperability, Reusability, and Integrated Systems

The usefulness of crop simulation models for understanding and transferring agricultural technology is widely acknowledged. The decision support system for agrotechnology transfer (DSSAT) has been in use for the last 3 decades by researchers worldwide. The DSSAT-Cropping System Model (CSM) is a general model for simulating crop growth and development, as well as the soil and plant water, nitrogen phosphorus, and carbon dynamics. The DSSAT-CSM comprises a suite of crop simulation models, including the CSM-CROPSIM wheat. However, depending on the type and number of simulations, it is usually necessary to handle large volumes of input and output data. A database management system (DBMS) provides technological resources and accessible methods for handling big data. In this study, we integrate simulation models with a DBMS and we demonstrate the advantages of this approach. We present a database called AgroDB that acts as a generic tool for crop simulation model users, which facilitates input data quality control, tracks the users selections during simulation model parameterization, and enables the visual analysis of simulation model outcomes. In addition, the system serves as communication route for model coupling. We describe a proof of concept application of the database management system approach and evaluate how well our approach meets its goals.