--=====================_850155582==_ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" --=====================_850155582==_ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), in collaboration with the University of Georgia, University of Florida, University of Hawaii, and International Consortium for Agricultural Systems Applications (ICASA), is organizing the International Training Program on Computer Simulation of Crop Growth and Management Responses at Muscle Shoals, Alabama, during May 12-23, 1997. The ASCII version of the program brochure is appended below. To apply, complete the enrollment form and mail, fax, or e-mail it to IFDC by May 1, 1997. For more information on the program, to register, or to request a written brochure, please respond to: Coordinator, Human Resource Development Unit International Fertilizer Development Center P.O. Box 2040 Muscle Shoals, Alabama 35662 U.S.A. Telefax : 205-381-7408 Telephone: 205-381-6600 E-Mail : [log in to unmask] You may register via e-mail by replying to the email address above, NOT by responding to this listserver. If you have any questions regarding the content of the workshop, please address them to [log in to unmask] For more information about IFDC, its mission, and training programs, address your inquiries to: International Fertilizer Development Center P.O. Box 2040 Muscle Shoals, Alabama 35662 U.S.A. Telephone: 205-381-6600 Telefax : 205-381-7408 E-Mail : [log in to unmask] *************************************************************** International Training Program on Computer Simulation of Crop Growth and Management Responses Rationale Today more than ever, increased food production depends on judicious use of resources. Many soil, climatic, plant, and management factors affect the way a crop will respond to irrigation, fertilizer, and other management practices. Determining appropriate crop management strategies under these uncertainties has major economic and environmental implications. Computer simulation models of the soil/crop/atmosphere system can make a valuable contribution to both furthering our understanding of the processes determining crop responses and predicting crop performance in different areas. With the increasing availability of personal computers, user-oriented simulation models will greatly facilitate the task of optimizing crop and nutrient management and deriving recommendations concerning crop management. They also can be used to investigate environmental and sustainability issues of agro-ecosystems. The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), in collaboration with the University of Georgia, University of Florida, Michigan State University, University of Hawaii, and International Consortium for Agricultural Systems Applications (ICASA), has been at the forefront in developing crop models and decision support systems suitable for use and application in both developed- and developing-country agriculture. IFDC is organizing this International Training Program on Computer Simulation of Crop Growth and Management Responses at Muscle Shoals, Alabama, during May 12-23, 1997. Program Objectives In this training program, participants will learn how a comprehensive simulation model of crop growth and development and water and nutrient dynamics is constructed and how it can be applied to real world problems. Specifically, the program will focus on: Operation of the new DSSAT v3.1 software. Description of the CERES and CROPGRO computer simulation models. Data requirements and collection for systems simulation. Application of the simulation, models to cropping, environmental, and sustainability problems. Integration of the crop simulation models with data base management and geographic information systems. Program Content The program will describe the practical approaches to simulating the effects of soil, climatic, management, and pest factors and their interaction with the input needs of crops. The program will demonstrate how the processes of crop growth and development, water use, uptake of nutrients and response to irrigation, fertilizer, and other management decisions can be simulated. The program will make extensive use of "hands-on" practical sessions on personal computers that demonstrate the application of simulation models to cropping systems in various regions of the world. Together with these applications, the methods for assessing the economic risks and environmental impacts associated with agricultural production in real world problems will be discussed. Procedures for managing soil, crop, and weather data will be described. The program will make extensive use of the CERES (maize, wheat, rice, sorghum, barley, and millet), CROPGRO (peanut, soybean, dry bean, and tomato), SUBSTOR (potato), OILCROP (sunflower), and CROPSIM (cassava) models for crop growth, development, and response to water and nutrients. Techniques for simulation of synthetic weather sequences will be described. Programs to create, run, and analyze both single season simulations and crop rotation simulations will be explained. The crop simulation models, data preparation, and application programs have been integrated into the new Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) v3.1 software package. Participants will be provided with a complete copy of DSSAT v3.1. Faculty Experts from IFDC, Universities of Florida and Georgia, and international agricultural research centers will form the faculty. Qualifications for Application Participants should be university graduates currently engaged in crop production or agro-ecosystems related research, teaching, outreach, or planning. They should have some understanding of soil and crop science and be relatively familiar with the terminology used in these fields. An in-depth knowledge is, however, not a prerequisite. They should be familiar with DOS-based personal computers. They should be fluent in English. Registration Fee The fee for this training program is $1700 and is due with the application for enrollment. The fee can be paid by check/draft in favor of IFDC or by a major credit card-Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. The program fee covers the registration for the 2-week program, transportation for field trips, resource material including the DSSAT v3.1 software, and tea/coffee breaks. It does not cover food and lodging during the program nor air transportation and health insurance. Each participant is responsible for these costs. Food and hotel lodging will average about $75-$80/day. IFDC will make reservations for participants at a convenient, quality motel. About the Training Program The program will begin May 12 and end May 23, 1997. It will be held at IFDC Headquarters, Muscle Shoals, Alabama, U.S.A. Participants should plan to arrive 2 days before the program begins to adjust to time zone differences and recover from travel fatigue. Muscle Shoals airport is served by Northwest Airlink from Memphis, Tennessee. Muscle Shoals can also be reached from Huntsville, Alabama, airport, which is served by Delta, Northwest, USAir, and American airlines. Huntsville is 65 miles away from Muscle Shoals, and a taxi costs around $75 one way. How to Apply To apply, complete the enrollment form and mail, fax, or e-mail it to IFDC by May 1, 1997. Applications received thereafter will be accepted at IFDC's discretion. An organization wishing to enroll more than one participant must supply an enrollment form for each participant. Enrollment is limited to 30 participants. Visa Requirement A visa is required for entry into the United States. Each participant must obtain a visitor visa from the Embassy or Consulate of the United States in his or her country of residence and fulfill any required health formalities. Weather The weather in the Muscle Shoals area is warm in May. Daytime temperatures average 75-85 F (24-29 C), and nighttime temperatures average 55-60 F (12-15 C). Daytime relative humidity varies between 70% and 85%. What is IFDC? The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing agricultural productivity and food production in the tropics and subtropics through the appropriate use of plant nutrients in sustainable crop production systems. Headquartered in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, U.S.A, IFDC conducts its research, training, and technical assistance programs in collaboration with private, national, and international organizations throughout the world. Cosponsors The University of Georgia University of Florida International Consortium for Agricultural Systems Applications (ICASA) International Fertilizer Development Center P.O. Box 2040 Muscle Shoals, Alabama 35662 U.S.A. Telephone: 205-381-6600 Telefax : 205-381-7408 E-Mail : [log in to unmask] IFDC reserves the right to modify or even to cancel any program as necessary. Please complete this enrollment form and return to IFDC before May 1, 1997. -------------------------------------------------------------- Application for Enrollment Please Print or Type Name (Mr., Ms., Mrs., Miss, Dr.)______________________________ Nationality ____________________ Birthdate _________________ (Month)(Day)(Year) Name and Mailing Address of Employer ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Telephone _____________ E-Mail ____________ Telefax ________ Present Position _____________________________________________ Length of Experience in Agricultural Research or Extension ___ Home Address and Telephone Number ____________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Organization Funding Your Participation ______________________ Education (Highest Degree Completed, Date, and Major Subject) ______________________________________________________________ Name and Address of Educational Institution __________________ Objective for Enrolling in This Program ______________________ ______________________________________________________________ Please e-mail or telefax name(s) of nominee(s) in advance. _________________________________ Signature of Applicant _________________________________ Signature of Nominating Authority _________________________________ Date Mail form and fee to: Coordinator, Human Resource Development Unit International Fertilizer Development Center P.O. Box 2040 Muscle Shoals, Alabama 35662 U.S.A. Telefax : 205-381-7408 Telephone: 205-381-6600 E-Mail : [log in to unmask] Program fees are due before the commencement of the program and will be refunded in the event of nonattendance. --=====================_850155582==_ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ======================================================================= Gerrit Hoogenboom Associate Professor Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering The University of Georgia Griffin, Georgia 30223-1797, USA Phone: 770-229-3438 (New !) FAX: 770-228-7218 E-mail: [log in to unmask] ======================================================================= --=====================_850155582==_--