Simulation of Nitrogen Dynamics in the Soil-Plant System Using the Danish Simulation Model DAISY

A dynamic simulation model for the soil plant system is described. The model includes a number of main modules viz. a water model, a soil temperature model, a soil nitrogen model including a submodel for soil organic matter dynamics, and a crop model including a submodel for nitrogen uptake. The soil part of the model has a one dimensional vertical structure. The soil profile is divided into layers on the basis of physical and chemical soil characteristics. The model was used to simulate soil nitrogen dynamics and biomass production at five locations for crops grown at various levels of nitrogen fertilization. The simulated results were compared to experimental data on nitrogen accumulated in the shoot part of the crop and nitrogen leaching from the root zone. Based on this validation it is concluded that the overall performance of the model is satisfactory although some minor adjustments of the model may prove to be necessary.