Building FSP models

Project description

The transition to more diverse agriculture faces a lot of challenges; practical challenges and ecological challenges. Within CSA we study the ecological interactions between different crop species to understand what would happen when farmers would transition to more diverse systems.

We study this is by field experiments, small pot experiments and by using specific modelling tools. We use Functional Structural Plant Models to quantify how interactions at the plant level lead to community crop performance. We are building different types of crops to allow us to study multiple combinations of crop types.

Within this MSC thesis you would contribute to this endeavor by building an FSPM for Pumpkin, Cabbage or Potato; three important crops for the Netherlands.

Experimental data is already available – your job is to analyze this data, and use it as input or validation data for the FSPM

Objectives and methods

• Understand building structure of FSP models.

• Identify important structural and physiological characteristics of crops related to light and Nitrogen and phosphorus.

• Use model simulations to do strip width analyses.

• Use model simulations to test effect of different companion crops on the performance of the focal crop.

Expectations

Create a FSP that represents one of the three main crop types (Pumpkin, potato, cabbage) – both above and below ground. The model should be responding to light conditions and N or P levels.

Required skills

• Experience in coding – use of Julia language
• Followed the course "Modelling Functional Diversity" (CSA-32806)

Types of research / work

• Fully computer work!
• Analyzing data and searching literature for relevant data
• Write code to build the structure of the FSPM
• Perform mode simulations that test the responsiveness of the FSPM

Period

Any period of the year

Location

WUR campus