A decision support system (DSS) for managing N-fertilization in artichoke.

摘要

The present work illustrates the theoretical basis and the methodological approach of a new decision support system (DSS) program (called ArtichoN) for the management of N-fertilization in artichoke crop; it uses a simplified N-balance model with the aim of providing to the farmers helpful tools to maintain their profitability, while minimizing the environmental impact of N-fertilization. The methodological approach used for scheduling N-fertilization is based on forecast of the daily amount of N uptake by the crop and of N available into the root zone in order to fulfil N-crop requirements by the soundest N supply to the soil, as follows: N-fertilization=N-crop uptake - N-soil availability. The DSS works on a daily basis through (a) the estimation of a daily dry mass accumulation on the basis of cumulated degree days; (b) the derivation of the daily N-uptake by the crop as a function of the estimated accumulation of DM using specific N-dilution curves; (c) the estimation of the daily N-available in the soil intercepted by the roots (mineral and mineralizable); (d) the daily N-balance (N-uptake - N-available in the soil); (e) make a decision on the N-application rate and application scheduling on the base of the balance result and on the moment of the growing cycle. The program allows to simulate crop growth by using historical meteorological data (multi-annual averaged daily minimum and maximum temperature) specific of the area where the farm is located and thus producing a foresight N-fertilization plan.