Using expert knowledge data to validate crop models on local situation data

Faisal Mahmood (1) , Jacques Wéry (2, 3) , Sabir Hussain (1) , Tanvir Shahzada (1) , Muhammed Arslan Ashraf (1) , Olivier Therond (4, 5) , Hatem Belhouchette (6, 2)

1 GCU - Government College University [Lahore]
2 UMR SYSTEM - Fonctionnement et conduite des systèmes de culture tropicaux et méditerranéens
3 Montpellier SupAgro - Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier
4 AGIR - AGroécologie, Innovations, teRritoires
5 INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique
6 CIHEAM-IAMM - Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier

Cropping system models are widely used tools for simulating the growth and development of crops at field scale. However, it is often difficult to satisfy their detailed input and output data requirements for a proper evaluation of model. In this study, expert knowledge data were used as alternative source to fulfill these data requirements. The model was first calibrated for major crops of the studied area and then evaluated for the same crops by using expert knowledge data. Results showed that the model accurately simulated above-ground biomass and grain yield with a relative root mean square error (RRMSE) of 20 and 17%, respectively. On the other hand, simulated results were less satisfactory for N uptake and cumulated evapotranspiration with RRMSE of 27% and 31%, respectively. The model simulated cumulative variables more accurately than dynamic variables. The results of this study suggest that expert knowledge can be used to get data for intermediate variables rarely measured in experiments used for calibration (green LAI, actual evapotranspiration, rooting depth) in typical crop management conditions in the region. This approach enables a global and dynamic evaluation of cropping system models when experimental data is unavailable for large heterogeneous areas in a region.

Mots clés: CULTIVATION; CROP MANAGEMENT; DECISION SUPPORT; FRANCE; FARMING SYSTEM; EXPERT; CROPPING SYSTEMS; MIDI PYRENEES; DYNAMIC MODELS

Mots clés: AIDE A LA DECISION; PRATIQUE CULTURALE; CONDUITE DE LA CULTURE; SYSTEME DE PRODUCTION; SYSTEME DE CULTURE; MODELE DYNAMIQUE

Domaines: Agriculture, économie et politique; Sciences de l'Homme et Société; Sciences agricoles

Faisal Mahmood, Jacques Wéry, Sabir Hussain, Tanvir Shahzada, Muhammed Arslan Ashraf, et al.. Using expert knowledge data to validate crop models on local situation data. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 2016, 62 (2), pp.217-234. ⟨10.1080/03650340.2015.1043528⟩. ⟨hal-01512190⟩