Crop growth model WOFOST applied to potatoes

Abstract

The WOFOST model was calibrated with an experiment on yield effects of drought in potatoes, using data on weather, soil moisture and crop calendar. Then, crop growth and development were predicted for the next year, using planting date and weather data. The model is described. The adjustments in the standard parameter sets resulting from the calibration are discussed. The model slightly underestimated the leaf area index and hence the tuber growth rate. This may be due to unintended effects of experimental set-up, factors not accounted for in the model, and the too many model parameters in relation to the measured data