Al,

I've already submitted a title summary for this year as my first choice,
and figured that your topics related to the 2003 meetings, but maybe not?

Anyway, I could possibly go into more detailed explanation of several
aspects that we simulate in CROPGRO such as:  1) how we simulate
accumulation of carbohydrate and proteins in vegetative tissue and their
re-mobilization for use by reproductive tissues, or 2) modeling effects of
water deficit to modify reproductive partitioning and to accelerate
maturity in grain legumes (this one we have some data on), or 3) modeling
acclimation of growth and photosynthesis to cool temperature, or 4) the
methods used in CROPGRO for partitioning among vegetative and reproductive
tissues.

Topic 2 was one that I actually considered presenting this year, but I came
up with one that I was more interested in.  So, I'd be ready to present
that, if of interested.

Best regards,
Ken Boote


At 05:10 PM 3/20/02 -0600, you wrote:
>Crop simulation models are composed of algorithms that represent different
>processes. These processes may include gross assimilation, respiration,
>transpiration, soil evaporation, crop development, growth of leaf area,
>senescence of leaf area, plant height, translocation of stored reserves,
>number of reproductive organs, mass of the reproductive organs, growth of
>roots, uptake of nutrients, partitioning of dry matter to above and below
>ground components, etc. There isn't a way to simulate any of these
>processes; there are several ways. Is one way superior to another way? Why?
>How were the algorithms that simulate these processes developed? Or, where
>do all the things on the left hand side of the equal sign come from? Does
>this way provide valid, consistent results across different environments?
>How can simulation of these processes be improved?
>         I am contemplating organizing a symposium for the next American
>Society of Agronomy meetings to address these issues. A tentative title for
>this symposium is "Simulating crop responses; what do we know, why do we
>know it, and where do we go from here". If you would like to make a
>presentation to address any of these processes, please provide me a title.
>The first four areas above have been addressed in greater detail than the
>remaining areas. In order for a successful presentation, I think it is very
>important to be honest and state this is what we know with confidence,
>these are reasonable assumptions, and these are guesses. If you have any
>questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please feel
>free to pass this message on to anyone you feel might be interested in this
>area. Thanks for your help.
>         Albert Weiss