Controlled–environment Potato Production with Elevated Carbon Dioxide

The SUBSTOR crop growth model was adapted for controlled–environment hydroponic production of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Norland) under elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. Adaptations included adjustment of input files to account for cultural differences between the field and controlled environments, calibration of genetic coefficients, and adjustment of crop parameters including radiation use efficiency. Source code modifications were also performed to account for the absorption of light reflected from the surface below the crop canopy, an increased leaf senescence rate, a carbon (mass) balance to the model, and to modify the response of crop growth rate to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. Adaptations were primarily based on growth and phenological data obtained from growth chamber experiments at Rutgers University (New Brunswick, N.J.) and from the modeling literature. Modified–SUBSTOR predictions were compared with data from Kennedy Space Center’s Biomass Production Chamber for verification. Results show that, with further development, modified–SUBSTOR will be a useful tool for analysis and optimization of potato growth in controlled environments.