Summary
This study describes the development and validation of a phosphorus-cycling module integrated into the SPACSYS process-based model, using winter wheat field data from Rothamsted Research. The model reasonably simulated aboveground dry matter, phosphorus accumulation, and soil moisture dynamics, and predicted soil nitrogen dynamics accurately when phosphorus fertiliser was applied. The work demonstrates the feasibility of investigating interactions between carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and water cycles within a single integrated model, though predictive performance was weaker in unfertilised fields.
Regional applicability
This research is directly applicable to UK farming conditions, being conducted at Rothamsted Research under typical UK winter wheat production systems. The model validation using UK field data positions the SPACSYS model as a potentially useful tool for predicting phosphorus availability and crop response across UK arable regions, though further refinement may be needed for low-phosphorus soils.
Key measures
Aboveground dry matter, crop phosphorus accumulation, soil phosphorus content and dynamics, soil moisture, soil nitrate and ammonium concentrations, model performance statistics (likely R², RMSE or similar)
Outcomes reported
The study evaluated a process-based phosphorus module added to the SPACSYS model to simulate phosphorus cycling, crop phosphorus accumulation, and the impact of soil phosphorus status on winter wheat growth. Model performance was assessed against field observations from a winter wheat experiment at Rothamsted Research, examining aboveground dry matter, phosphorus accumulation, soil moisture, and soil nitrogen dynamics.
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