Simulation modelling of lablab (Lablab purpureus) pastures in northern Australia
J. O. Hill A , M. J. Robertson A C , B. C. Pengelly A , A. M. Whitbread A and C. A. Hall BA CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, Qld 4067, Australia.
B CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, PO Box 102, Toowoomba, Qld 4350, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: Michael.Robertson@csiro.au
Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 57(4) 389-401 https://doi.org/10.1071/AR05263
Submitted: 25 July 2005 Accepted: 14 December 2005 Published: 27 April 2006
Abstract
The capability to simulate lablab production across a range of environments in northern Australia provides a useful tool for exploring agronomic and management options and risk assessments for the crop. This paper reports on the development and testing of a model of lablab (annual cultivar cv. Highworth and perennial cultivar cv. Endurance) growth, designed for use in the cropping systems simulator, APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems Simulator). Parameters describing leaf area expansion, biomass accumulation, and partitioning were derived from field experiments, and other essential parameters were assumed from similar tropically adapted legumes. The model was tested against data from experiments including different locations, cultivars, sowing dates, soil types, and water availability. Observed biomass ranged from 63 to 13055 kg dry matter/ha and was predicted by the model in an independent test with a root mean square deviation of 770 kg dry matter/ha. Observed time courses of biomass production for both the annual and perennial cultivars were reproduced well, as was the partitioning of biomass into leaves and stems. The effect of variable rainfall and temperature in northern Australia was analysed using the model and historical climate data. Yield reductions were found in the more inland and southern-most parts of the region where summer rainfall and/or temperatures are lower.
Additional keywords: APSIM-Lablab, biomass, crop development, forage legume, model performance.
Acknowledgments
Staff from the Cooper Research Station, Gatton, are thanked for their technical assistance. Helpful comments on an early version of this paper from Peter Carberry, Brendan Cullen, and Shaun Lisson are gratefully acknowledged.
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