SimUlation of Nitrogen Dynamics In Arable Land

SUNDIAL is a dynamic computer model of nitrogen turnover in the crop/soil system. It incorporates current scientific knowledge on the individual processes of nitrogen turnover and integrates these processes to simulate what happens in the whole soil. SUNDIAL requires readily available information on soil type, cropping history and weather data as model inputs.  It is widely used by scientists to interpret the results of field experiments, in particular the effects of crop management, soil type and different weather patterns on nitrate leaching (SUNDIAL the Research tool).  SUNDIAL is also being developed into a Fertiliser Recommendation System (SUNDIAL-FRS), a management tool for farmers, growers and advisors, which will provide nitrogen fertiliser recommendations on a field-by-field basis, aiming to minimise nitrate leaching whilst achieving the desired yield.

• General information: introduction, the nitrate issue, development of SUNDIAL
• Model description
• SUNDIAL The Research Tool
• SUNDIAL-FRS (Fertiliser Recommendation System)
• Whole farm modelling using SUNDIAL
• Related publications
• References and Further Reading

If you want further information about the Sundial model please write to:

Sundial
Soil Science Department
Rothamsted Research
Harpenden
Herts
AL5 2JQ

If you have any comments or suggestions regarding SUNDIAL please contact: margaret.glendining@bbsrc.ac.uk.