Modelling soil carbon in agricultural systems: A way to widen the experimental space

Abstract

Mechanistic and explanatory simulation models provide robust and objective methods to extrapolate likely responses of crops and soils to climate change over different landscapes and time periods. Central to such simulation models are the supply of mineralised nutrients, in particular nitrogen, to crops through linked crop and nutrient sub-models that is achieved through modelling soil carbon dynamics. Attention to soil processes is therefore an essential part of building robust and sustainable production systems and understanding the potential impacts of climate change. To the farmer, focus must be on the productive capacity of the land and its rejuvenation to sustain production. In the broa..