Phasic temperature control appraised with the Ceres-Wheat model.

T. Volk, B. Bugbee, F. Tubiello

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Phasic control refers to the specification of a series of different environmental conditions during a crop's life cycle, with the goal of optimizing some aspect of productivity. Because of the enormous number of possible scenarios, phasic control is an ideal situation for modeling to provide guidance prior to experiments. Here we use the Ceres-Wheat model, modified for hydroponic growth chambers, to examine temperature effects. We first establish a baseline by running the model at constant temperatures from 10 degrees C to 30 degrees C. Grain yield per day peaks at 15 degrees C at a value that is 25% higher than the yield at the commonly used 23 degrees C. We then show results for phasic control limited to a single shift in temperature and, finally, we examine scenarios that allow each of the five phases of the life cycle to have a different temperature. Results indicate that grain yield might be increased by 15-20% over the best yield at constant temperature, primarily from a boosted harvest index, which has the additional advantage of less waste biomass. Such gains, if achievable, would help optimize food production for life support systems. Experimental work should first verify the relationship between yield and temperature, and then move to selected scenarios of phasic control, based on model predictions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)49-54
Number of pages6
JournalLife support & biosphere science : international journal of earth space
Volume4
Issue number1-2
StatePublished - 1997

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Phasic temperature control appraised with the Ceres-Wheat model.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this