Summary
This study describes the development and validation of a phosphorus-cycling module within the SPACSYS process-based model, calibrated and tested using winter wheat field experiments at Rothamsted Research. The model successfully simulated phosphorus accumulation, dry matter production and soil moisture dynamics, and demonstrated capacity to investigate interactions between carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and water cycles. However, model predictions for soil nitrogen dynamics showed significant discrepancies in fields without phosphorus fertiliser application, suggesting limitations in the current mechanistic representation under low-phosphorus conditions.
UK applicability
As this research was conducted at Rothamsted Research in the United Kingdom using locally relevant winter wheat varieties and soil conditions, the SPACSYS model with its integrated phosphorus module is directly applicable to UK arable farming contexts. The model may support evidence-based phosphorus fertiliser management and soil phosphorus status assessment in UK cereal production, though users should note the current model limitations in unfertilised systems.
Key measures
Aboveground dry matter accumulation; phosphorus accumulation in crops; soil moisture dynamics; soil nitrate and ammonium concentrations; soil phosphorus status
Outcomes reported
The study evaluated the predictive capability of a newly developed phosphorus-cycling module integrated into the SPACSYS model on crop phosphorus dynamics and soil phosphorus status effects on winter wheat growth. Model performance was assessed against field observations for aboveground dry matter, phosphorus accumulation, soil moisture and nitrogen dynamics.
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