M3 model as a prototype tool for predicting performance of innovative plant teams Deliverable D3.2 (D23)

This deliverable report describes the applicability of the Minimalist Mixture Model – M3 – as a prototype tool for predicting performance of innovative plant teams. M3 has been developed as part of the work conducted in DIVERSify within WP3. M3, and its most recent further developments, are briefly described. The emphasis is on the general structure of the model, and the data needed for its calibration, running and validation. In addition, this report presents two applications of M3 to predict the performance of existing and novel plant teams. In the first application, M3 is used to determine the performance of plant teams differing from the existing ones for specific parameters, thus helping in the identification of key traits for superior performance, and hence potential innovative plant teams that should be prioritized in breeding. In the second application, M3 is used to determine the stability of a plant team performance in the face of variable climatic conditions, including those projected for the future

Exploring Single and Multiple Religious Belonging

This contribution studies the notion of single and multiple religious belonging in a sample of 265 Dutch respondents. We will first focus on modalities of religious belonging and subsequently compare those who claim to draw from just one religion (the monoreligious) with those who indicate that they combine elements from different religious traditions (the multireligious) in terms of their intensities and styles of belonging, loyalty and mobility, and motivations for belonging. In general, multireligious respondents are characterized by their larger flexibility in religious matters as they tend to focus on similarities and common elements in different religions, and less on boundaries between them. By being loyal to themselves in the first place, they feel free to adopt and to leave behind religious beliefs and communities. Emotional and institutional bonds for each religion appear to be less strong than for monoreligious individuals in relation to their single religion

Summary report on mechanisms underpinning beneficial plant associations based on APSIM and DAISY

This deliverable reports on the work conducted within WP3, based on two existing crop growth models, APSIM and DAISY. The objective of deliverable 3.1 is to identify the key traits and mechanisms underpinning beneficial plant associations, by calibrating, validating and running APSIM and DAISY. For each model, this report presents in detail i) the data used for model calibration and validation, and the rationale for their choice; ii) the calibration and validation process; iii) the results of simulation runs and comparison with field trial data across pedoclimatic conditions; and iv) a discussion of the key aspects driving the performance of each model and the key plant traits defining the output, with particular reference to intercropped systems. In addition, the report also presents an evaluation of resource use efficiencies in support of the modelling work. On the basis of the calibration and validation results, the two models are also contrasted. APSIM and DAISY showed some promising results for the simulation of spring wheat-faba bean and spring barley-field pea systems, towards the identification of the key traits and mechanisms driving the interaction of cereals and legumes in field conditions and across different pedoclimatic regions. Further steps are discussed towards the improvement of the model capabilities, in particular pertaining intercropped systems, also exploiting some additional experimental results relative to plant nutrient use efficiency

Practical considerations for enhanced-resolution coil-wrapped Distributed Temperature Sensing

Fibre optic distributed temperature sensing (DTS) is widely applied in Earth sciences. Many applications require a spatial resolution higher than that provided by the DTS instrument. Measurements at these higher resolutions can be achieved with a fibre optic cable helically wrapped on a cylinder. The effect of the probe construction, such as its material, shape, and diameter, on the performance has been poorly understood. In this article, we study data sets obtained from a laboratory experiment using different cable and construction diameters, and three field experiments using different construction characteristics. This study shows that the construction material, shape, diameter, and cable attachment method can have a significant influence on DTS temperature measurements. We present a qualitative and quantitative approximation of errors introduced through the choice of auxiliary construction, influence of solar radiation, coil diameter, and cable attachment method. Our results provide insight into factors that influence DTS measurements, and we present a number of solutions to minimize these errors. These practical considerations allow designers of future DTS measurement set-ups to improve their environmental temperature measurements

WATBAL : a simple water balance model for a unsaturated / saturated soil profile

The transformation and transport processes of nitrogen species in soil is strongly influenced by moisture effects. Therefore a good watermanagement model is a prerequisite for a good nitrogen mode