44
P. Cepuder and V. aus-der-Schmitten
The tool is also capable of simulating irrigation dependent on the actual
weather situation, when required by the user. Irrigation is calculated for each crop,
as basic parameters like time and amount of irrigation have been assembled.
Once the simulation for the selected area is done, results can be shown on maps
and charts immediately. For this purpose, a scenario management has been
integrated within the program, which allows comparison of various simulations to
show effects of the measures.
The main functions ofEPICINT are as follows:
• Selection of files from database, such as a map of soil types, a table of soil
information for each layer, a map of Thiessen polygons, or a map of communities.
• Selection of soil types: basic unit of all calculations is the single soil type shown
as a polygon on a map.
• Assignment of weather stations and communities to each soil polygon by spatial
query.
• Assistance in making up individual crop rotations.
• Calculation of soil parameters with empiric formula.
• Preparation of EPIC input files.
• Running the EPIC simulation: for each selected soil type, each weather station,
and each crop rotation the simulation can be executed and the output written to
DBase files for simple visualization.
• Viewing output data via charts as time series or on a map for a specified point
oftime.
• Comparison of all output parameters for an easy interpretation of provided
measures.
4 Results and Discussion
As an example, the results of modifications in crop rotation CR4 concerning
nitrate concentration of percolation water, nitrogen leaching, and percolation water
are shown for the community of Markgrafneusiedl.
OPUL is an Austrian program for ecological agriculture. To obtain financial
support for this program, at least 10% of the cultivated farm area have to be green
fallow. For this reason, CR4 was altered to CR4-a and CR4-b. CR4-a is an 8-year
crop rotation without any green fallow or cover crop. CR4-b was altered in order
to reduce nitrogen leaching, adding cover crops in autumn when possible, and 2
years of pasture. CR4 is a rather extensive crop rotation.
• CR4-a: Summer barley, winter barley, peas, winter wheat, canola, summer
barley, winter wheat, canola.
• CR4-b: Summer barley, pasture, winter barley, cover crop, peas, winter wheat,
canola, cover crop, summer barley, pasture, winter wheat, canola, cover crop.
Both crop rotations were run over 20 years, starting in 1980. Tillage measures
for both CR4-a and CR4-b are shown in Table 1. Pasture and covercrop of CR4-b
are displayed shaded grey.
P. Cepuder and V. aus-der-Schmitten
The tool is also capable of simulating irrigation dependent on the actual
weather situation, when required by the user. Irrigation is calculated for each crop,
as basic parameters like time and amount of irrigation have been assembled.
Once the simulation for the selected area is done, results can be shown on maps
and charts immediately. For this purpose, a scenario management has been
integrated within the program, which allows comparison of various simulations to
show effects of the measures.
The main functions ofEPICINT are as follows:
• Selection of files from database, such as a map of soil types, a table of soil
information for each layer, a map of Thiessen polygons, or a map of communities.
• Selection of soil types: basic unit of all calculations is the single soil type shown
as a polygon on a map.
• Assignment of weather stations and communities to each soil polygon by spatial
query.
• Assistance in making up individual crop rotations.
• Calculation of soil parameters with empiric formula.
• Preparation of EPIC input files.
• Running the EPIC simulation: for each selected soil type, each weather station,
and each crop rotation the simulation can be executed and the output written to
DBase files for simple visualization.
• Viewing output data via charts as time series or on a map for a specified point
oftime.
• Comparison of all output parameters for an easy interpretation of provided
measures.
4 Results and Discussion
As an example, the results of modifications in crop rotation CR4 concerning
nitrate concentration of percolation water, nitrogen leaching, and percolation water
are shown for the community of Markgrafneusiedl.
OPUL is an Austrian program for ecological agriculture. To obtain financial
support for this program, at least 10% of the cultivated farm area have to be green
fallow. For this reason, CR4 was altered to CR4-a and CR4-b. CR4-a is an 8-year
crop rotation without any green fallow or cover crop. CR4-b was altered in order
to reduce nitrogen leaching, adding cover crops in autumn when possible, and 2
years of pasture. CR4 is a rather extensive crop rotation.
• CR4-a: Summer barley, winter barley, peas, winter wheat, canola, summer
barley, winter wheat, canola.
• CR4-b: Summer barley, pasture, winter barley, cover crop, peas, winter wheat,
canola, cover crop, summer barley, pasture, winter wheat, canola, cover crop.
Both crop rotations were run over 20 years, starting in 1980. Tillage measures
for both CR4-a and CR4-b are shown in Table 1. Pasture and covercrop of CR4-b
are displayed shaded grey.