The 22nd DSSAT Development Sprint, held from January 6–10, 2025, at the University of Florida, was a vibrant hub for agricultural modeling innovation. Hosted by the Global Food Systems Institute and the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, this hybrid event gathered an international array of researchers, developers, and industry experts in Gainesville, Florida, and virtually across the globe.
This year’s January Sprint emphasized collaboration and innovation, focusing on refining the DSSAT Cropping System Model, enhancing associated tools, and expanding the knowledge base for new and experienced users alike. Key objectives included improving DSSAT and associated tools and crop models, onboarding new developers to DSSAT protocols, and advancing applications across diverse cropping systems.
Highlights of the Sprint
1. Focus Areas and Breakthroughs
Participants tackled ambitious priorities, including:
- Advancing DSSAT Version 4.8.x with updates on XB2 and TSE models.
- Exploring intercropping, pest, disease, and hail damage modeling.
- Incorporating soil temperature dynamics and remote sensing capabilities.
Additionally, the participants explored agrivoltaics, drought-tolerant traits in CROPGRO, and integrating 2-D modeling for enhanced crop simulations.
2. Global Collaboration
The event attracted diverse participants, including representatives from leading institutions such as the USDA-ARS, International Fertilizer Development Center, Soil Health Institute, Auburn University, Columbia University, University of Kentucky, University of Florida, Oklahoma State University, University of Missouri, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Technical University Munich, Turkish State Meteorological Service, South African Sugarcane Research Institute, Chiang Mai University, University of Hohenheim, Embrapa, ESALQ-University of São Paulo, University of Passo Fundo, CIAT, and CIMMYT.
This wide-ranging expertise enriched discussions and accelerated solutions for global agricultural challenges.
3. Presentations and Knowledge Sharing
Daily presentations provided insights into cutting-edge research and applications:
- Updates on 2-D modeling.
- Perennial rice modeling.
- Continuous integration and testing.
- Intercropping model.
- TREEGRO for citrus.
- Stable carbon pool (SOM3).
- Soil temperature.
A Collaborative Format
Participants worked in small, focused groups on breakout topics such as flexible I/O, pest modeling, and continuous integration. The hybrid setup ensured accessibility, enabling global contributors to collaborate seamlessly through Zoom and dedicated breakout rooms.
The week concluded with a final report and wrap-up session, highlighting the tangible progress achieved and laying the foundation for future efforts.
Looking Ahead
The DSSAT Development Sprint remains a cornerstone for advancing agricultural modeling tools. This year’s January event paved the way for innovative solutions in sustainable food production by fostering a collaborative environment and addressing critical agricultural challenges.
With a mix of in-person and virtual collaboration, the 2025 January Sprint exemplifies how diverse expertise and cutting-edge research can converge to address global food security and environmental sustainability.
Stay tuned for updates and upcoming developments in DSSAT as we continue to shape the future of agricultural decision-making.
