A new system automatically transforms existing process-based crop models into different languages and simulation platforms. This new approach, described in in silico Plants, will improve the reproducibility, exchange and reuse of process-based crop models (PBM). PBM are increasingly implemented as autonomous components describing each biophysical process. According to lead author, Dr. Cyrille Ahmed Midingoyi, researcher […]
18
Nov
Crop modeling takeaways from the 2020 CGIAR Convention
This is one of a series of blogs written by our Youth in Data delegates who participated in the 2020 CGIAR Convention on Big Data in Agriculture. The global event was held virtually 19-23 October 2020. Feature photo: Alfonso Cortés / CIMMYT. During my experience as a Youth in Data 2020 delegate at the 2020 CGIAR […]
07
Aug
13th Virtual DSSAT Development Sprint
The 13th DSSAT Development Sprint was held from July 20-24, 2020 as a Virtual Meeting due to continuing Covid-19 Pandemic. The DSSAT Development Sprint was hosted by the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems and the Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering of the University of Florida. One of the main goals of the DSSAT Development […]
22
Jun
Scientists from IITA, Wageningen and University of Florida are Optimizing Crop Models for Improved Predictions
The African Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI) project scientists are working on optimizing crop models to improve the prediction of the AKILIMO decision support tools. The team is evaluating the performance of the Light Interception and Utilization (LINTUL) and Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) to predict the attainable yield of cassava under well managed […]
28
May
Myles Fisher
On May 27, 2020, Dr. Myles Fisher passed away after suffering a stroke. Dr. Myles Fisher was an agronomist who after working for 22 years with the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), spent most of his career as a scientist associated with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) based in Palmira […]
10
Apr
New DSSAT Documentation
We recently published a chapter entitled “The DSSAT crop modeling ecosystem” in the book “Advances in Crop Modeling for a Sustainable Agriculture.” This chapter provides a brief history of DSSAT, an overview of its functionality and applications, and up-to-date information on the status of the DSSAT Cropping System Model (CSM) and the DSSAT tools, utilities […]
10
Apr
DSSAT Source Code Now Fully Open
The DSSAT community is committed to promoting development of all DSSAT models and software tools as open source projects. As of December, 2019, the DSSAT Cropping System Model (CSM) code is fully open and accessible via GitHub under the BSD 3-Clause “New” or “Revised” License. This license is similar to the BSD 2-Clause License, but with […]
14
Jan
12th DSSAT Development Sprint at the University of Florida
The 12th DSSAT Development Sprint was held from January 6-10, 2020 at the University of Florida and co-hosted by the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems and the Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering. One of the main goals of the DSSAT Development Sprint is to improve the science of the Cropping System Model (CSM) and […]
06
Dec
Cultivating Food Security in Africa
University of Florida (UF) researchers of the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems are developing ways to combat food insecurities in Africa. The African Cassava Agronomy Initiative is a five-year project to advance cassava farming by offering decision support tools. Farmers can access these applications to identify ways to maximize crop yield, improve root starch quality, and reduce […]
26
Nov
DSSAT 2019 @ South Africa
The Agrometeorology Programme of the Soil, Climate and Water Campus of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC ∙ LNR) in South Africa, in collaboration with the DSSAT Foundation, organized a DSSAT training program from September 30 through October 4, 2019 at ARC Headquarters in Pretoria, South Africa. Twenty-nine participants from South Africa, Rwanda, Botswana, Swaziland, Mauritius, […]
