What do the nitrogen bank, grain and graze crops, and understanding yield gaps have in common? Answer: the crop simulation model APSIM. APSIM has tested all of these ideas in low and medium yield environments. This project aims to improve APSIM for high wheat yields, so it can be better used to explore new concepts and assist farmer decision making.
The project will gather high yielding experimental results to provide test data and insights into any model changes required. High yielding wheat experiments in New Zealand will detail how wheat converts light into sugar, and how that in turn converts to grain. This understanding will be checked against and used to improve the APSIM wheat model.
The first uses of the improved model will be to redraw the potential yield map for Australia’s High Rainfall Zone, and to estimate yield gaps on FAR Australia’s Hyper Yielding Award paddocks.