Training on Irrigation Modelling using Decision Support System for Agro-technology Transfer (DSSAT)

BACKGROUND

The Climate Change, Energy & Water Research Institute (CEWRI) of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) in collaboration with the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad is organizing a 2 days professional hands-on training on Irrigation Modelling using Decision Support System for Agro-technology Transfer (DSSAT) under its regional project HI-AWARE.

The Decision Support System for Agro-technology Transfer (DSSAT) is a software application program that comprises crop simulation models for over 42 crops as well as tools to facilitate effective use of the models. It has been used in over 100 countries by agronomists for evaluating farming methods. DSSAT is built with a modular approach, with different options available to represent such processes as evapotranspiration and soil organic matter accumulation, which facilitates testing different representations of processes important in crop growth.

The functionality of DSSAT has also been extended through interfaces with other software such as GIS. DSSAT typically requires input parameters related to soil condition, weather, any management practices such as fertilizer use and irrigation, and characteristics of the crop variety being grown. Many common crops have their characteristics already implemented as DSSAT modules.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this training is to;

1. Overview of cropping system models and DSSAT software.
2. Modelling climate effects on crop growth and potential yield.
3. Simulating soil water dynamics and crop responses.
4. Analysis of crop water requirements and water productivity as affected by climate, soil properties & management.
5. Simulating soil N and carbon dynamics and crop responses to N.
6. Experiments and data requirements for adapting and using crop models for new regions and situations.
7. Genetic factors affecting crop productivity, water and nutrient use.
8. Analysing risks and uncertainties due to climate variability.
9. Seasonal analysis and simulating crop rotations for sustainable production.
10. Hands-on analyses of cropping systems for these topics.

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Contact persons: Dr. Bashir Ahmad (PSO/PI), Salar Saeed (GIS/RS Analyst)