A comprehensive R interface for the DSSAT Cropping Systems Model
Phillip D. Alderman
Abstract
The Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer Cropping Systems Model (DSSAT-CSM) is a widely used modeling system. The DSSAT R package was developed to provide tools that would facilitate preparing required model inputs, executing simulations, and processing and analyzing outputs for DSSAT-CSM. This application note demonstrates the use of this new package for building reproducible crop modeling workflows using the DSSAT-CSM system. Example workflows are provided for modifying values in input data files (soil, weather, and experimental details), running simulations, reading simulated output, and creating publication-quality visualizations of observed and simulated data. The DSSAT R package provides basic tools that when combined with other R packages will facilitate developing robust, reproducible, scientific modeling workflows.