Comparison of simulation results and evaluation of parameterization schemes

Abstract

The results of an intercomparison study with eight simulation models are systematically evaluated. All the models describe soil-water-plant growth dynamics. The approaches models take to parametrize are compared: plant physiological processes, including the nitrogen dynamics; water fluxes in the soil, plant and atmosphere; water uptake and crop yield relationships. Analysing the parametrization and calibration yields the most critical set of the processes and parameters, which largely determine predictive capabilities of a model in practical field situations: dry-matter partitioning, leaf expansion and leaf area dynamics, senescence, root dynamics and soil hydraulic characteristics.