The CROPGRO Perennial Forage Model Simulates Productivity and Re-Growth of Tropical Perennial Grasses

The CROPGRO Perennial Forage Model Simulates Productivity and Re-Growth of Tropical Perennial Grasses

This paper introduces the CROPGRO Perennial Forage model (CROPGRO-PFM) and describes its ability to simulate regrowth dynamics and herbage production of Brachiaria and Panicum as affected by harvest management and weather. The model simulates regrowth, herbage harvests, percent leaf, and herbage protein of perennial forage grasses and legumes over multiple seasons. It can regrow from zero LAI (after harvest) based on use of carbohydrate and N reserves in storage tissues; however, the amount of residual stubble and residual leaf area index (LAI) are also important for rapid regrowth and productivity. The model is publically available for download from DSSAT.NET.