Incorporating Farming System Modelling Approaches Into Agronomy MS Program.

To cope with complex agronomic issues use of mathematical simulation models is the best tool. There are several models available worldwide, with the farming system models APSIM (Agricultural Production System Simulator) and DSSAT (Decision Support Systems for Agrotechnology Transfer) to provide a  synthesis of independent models (soil nitrogen, soil phosphorus, soil organic matter, surface residues, soil water, soil erosion and several crop modes) under a friendly user interface making them power tools in addressing complex issues regarding soils, crops and climate. These models have been tested thoroughly over the last decade in diverse situations and showed reasonable to very good predictions. Use of such a tool in an agronomic curriculum can assist teaching of various courses, from soil physics and management to crop ecology and biomass production. Therefore our goal is to incorporate APSIM into agronomy MS program of the Iowa State University. After properly calibration and testing of APSIM for US Midwest conditions, we anticipate giving MS students the opportunity to explore questions that are difficult to be addressed following traditional curricula or experimentation. For instance, students can explore (i) the impact of climate change (increasing CO₂ and/or temperature and/or modify precipitation frequency) on crop production along with nutrients cycles, water balances and GHG emissions; and (ii) long term management practises (e.g. cover crops) on crop yields and soil fertility, drawing conclusions (and formulating hypotheses for further research) that cannot be seen from short term experiments (1 to 4 years). Presently calibration of APSIM is on-going. This project will increase students understanding of future research challenges and will impact the pedagogy used in professional degree programs.