Adaptation of the CROPGRO model to simulate growth and yield of rapeseed (Brassica napusL. var.oleiferaDC)

In Mediterranean area where its cycle lasts nearly seven months, the growth of winter oilseed rapeBrassica napusL.is subjected to climatic hazards that may exert an important influence on yield, notwithstanding damage by pets. In the context of the European Common Agricoltural Policy, which promoted in Europe the growing of rape as bio-fuel crop, it seemed relevant to study the effects of soil and climate variability on both the final yield and the environmental impacts of this crop. As a consequence of their dynamic nature, these effecs may only be studied by means of a model simulating the relevant crop processes as related to managment and weather conditions.Here we tried to adapt the CROPGRO Soybean module to rapreseed by modifying species and cultivar file parameters. The resulting model, is discribed and tested against experimental data in this thesis. All parameters mentioned have been calibrated on a data set from a one-year experiment conducted on the experimental farm of the University of Sassari (Northwestern Sardinia) and on a private farm, located in the Central Sardinia. In both sites, cv Kabel was studied. Weather data were recorded with automatic weather stations, while phenological stages were weekly monitored. In the order to analyze the crop growth, destructive measurements were carried out every four weeks. Specific crop parameters including specific leaf area, the leaf stem partitioning parameter, and photothermal time requirements fro crop development were generated from field sampling.The modified soybean version of CROPGRO performs realistically but should be tested under different latidude.