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Compendium on methods and tools to evaluate impacts of, and vulnerability and adaptation to, climate
change
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GOSSYM/COMAX
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Description
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GOSSYM/COMAX is a mechanistic cotton growth model and expert system that simulates cotton growth
given selected weather, soil, and management practices. Management options include fertilizer and
irrigation strategies. GOSSYM operates on daily time steps and calculates material balances for
water and nitrogen using weather and soil data to predict crop growth and crop yield. The model
also calculates material balances and soil nitrogen uptake.
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Appropriate Use
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Effective aid to cotton growers, crop consultants, and researchers in the management of irrigation
water, nitrogen, plant growth regulators, and crop termination chemicals. Useful in computing
irrigation, planting time, and fertilization strategies for farmers; can be used in conjunction with
GCMs or WGEN to examine the effects of changes in climate on crop production. Does not work well with
intersecting insect data.
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Scope
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All locations; agricultural sector; site-specific.
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Key Output
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Crop yield and yield components
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Key Input
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Soil moisture and bulk density for each soil horizon, and weather data (temperature, wind speed,
solar radiation, and humidity).
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Ease of Use
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Relatively easy to use despite significant data requirements
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Training Required
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Requires some knowledge of soil and plant physiology, although a user with sufficient background can
gain proficiency with a few days of training.
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Training Available
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Short training course offered
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Computer Requirements
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An IBM-compatible 486 with 4K of RAM and 80MB
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Documentation
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Application manual available
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Applications
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Has been used in Spain, Greece, China, The Philippines, Australia (modified), Cameroon, and
Thailand as well as many states in the U.S.
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Contacts for Framework, Documentation, Technical Assistance
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Dr. James McKinion
USDA-ARS, Crop Simulation Unit, PO Box 536, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA; Tel: +1.601.324.4375;
Fax: +1.601.324.4371; e-mail: mckinion@csrumsu.ars.ag.gov.
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Cost
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Can be obtained free of charge by e-mailing sturner@ra.msstate.edu
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References
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Doherty, R.M., L.O. Mearns, K.R. Reddy, M.W. Downton and L. McDaniel. 2003. Spatial Scale Effects
of Climate Scenarios on Simulated Cotton Production in the Southeastern U.S.A. Climatic Change
60(1-2):99-129.
McKinion, J.M., D.N. Baker, F.D. Whisler, and J.R. Lambert. 1989. Application of GOSSYM/COMAX
system to cotton crop management. Agricultural Systems 31:55-65.
Watkins, K.B., Y.C. Lu, and V.R. Reddy. 1998. An economic evaluation of alternative pix application
strategies for cotton production using GOSSYM/COMAX. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture
(20)3:251.
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