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Evaluation of a Crop Simulation Model that Incorporates Gene Action

Dep. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, The Univ. of Georgia, Georgia Station, Griffin, GA 30223;
CIMMYT, Apdo. Postal 6-641,06600 Mexico, D.F., Mexico;
INIFAP, Apdo. Postal 10, Chapingo, Mexico, C.P. 56230, Mexico;
Alberta Special Crops & Hortic. Ctr., SS 4, Brooks, AB T1R 1E6, Canada;
Univ. of Idaho, Kimberly Res. & Ext. Ctr., 793 North 3600 East, Kimberly, ID 83341-5076;
USDA-ARS, Irrigated Agric. Res. Ctr., Route 2 Box 2953A, Prosser, WA 99350-9687.

^* Corresponding author (gerrit{at}bae.uga.edu).

Crop simulation models are receiving increasing use in agricultural research. However, applications to plant breeding have been limited, in part due to the restricted capabilities of models to represent genetic differences. A gene-based simulation model, GeneGro, has been developed that integrates action of seven genes into a common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) model. The genes for physiological traits identified in the model include Ppd, Hr, Fin, Fd, Ssz-l, Ssz-2, and Ssz-3. Evaluation of GeneGro was performed by comparison of measured field data vs. simulated data, and through a sensitivity analysis of the model. The experimental data set for model comparison was comprised of 14 field trials conducted in Canada, the USA, Mexico, and Colombia, representing 213 treatment combinations and including 39 cultivars. GeneGro explained 75% of variation in days to flower, 68% in days to maturity, and 39% in seed mass, but only 11% of variation in seed yield. Most of the variation in simulated seed yield was accounted for by the model when mean effects of site and cultivars were removed through regression analysis. This suggests that the poor simulation of seed yield was partially due to errors in simulating differences among sites rather than from simulating the response of genotypes to sites. Seed yield simulations were made for 96 genotypes that represented all expected phenotypic combinations of the seven genes included in the model. Simulations were conducted using historical weather data from Fargo, ND; Madero, Mexico; and Palmira, Colombia. GeneGrop redicted that photoperiod sensitivity, conferred by Ppd and Hr, would result in zero seed yields at Fargo, a slight seed yield increase at Madero, and no effect at Palmira. Testing effects of maturity on seed yield, the genotypes fin and Fd resulted in lower seed yields due to shorter growth cycles, in agreement with field trials. The predicted effects of the three genes related to seed size varied Among the sites. These results support the use of genetic information to represent cultivar differences in simulation models. They also emphasize the need for a better understanding of the physiological genetics of traits such as phenology, seed size, and growth habit.

Received for publication March 4, 1996.

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