Predicting phenology of Vicia faba: Parameter estimation with CROPGRO-fababean model using multiple sowing date experiments.

Abstract

Crop models have become valuable tools for designing efficient cropping systems, particularly once model reliability is documented for a given environment. For this use, the timing of crop phenology has to be accurately simulated to predict life cycle and the correct allocation of assimilates to yield components. The CROPGRO-Fababean model was developed based on adaptation of the generic CROPGRO legume model to simulate faba bean grown in Cordoba, Spain (Boote et al., 2002) but the model has not been tested extensively in other environments. Therefore, the model needs to be tested for additional environments, and may need to be modified to improve its reliability under a wide range of field conditions. For the initial model version, phase durations were calibrated against field data collected at Córdoba; however, the cardinal temperatures that affect phenology were derived from the literature. Because our goal was to use these parameters to make reliable predictions in new field environments, we propose that the best way to solve the coefficients is through a calibration process based on field data obtained under varying daily and seasonal temperature and daylength, similar to the method used successfully to calibrate the SOYGRO model phenology. The objective of this work was to determine quantitatively the effects of temperature and daylength on rate of vegetative node expression, time to flowering, time to beginning pod, time to beginning seed, and time to physiological maturity with the ultimate goal of making the CROPGRO-Faba bean model more reliable over a wide range of sowing date environments