Mathematical Models of Crop Growth and Yield

Preface

This book is intended to outline an approach to crop modeling that I have

found to be both mathematically solid and feasible to use in practice. My

strategy is to develop the technical details in a way that offers some insight

into a logical progression from a simple idea toward more complex details.

The reader should sense something of the uncertainty involved in the struggle

to interpret data and compose models for describing empirical results.

My search has been driven by a combination of practical need and intellectual curiosity.





Science can be viewed as the search for: (1) patterns, (2) relationships, (3)

connections, (4) consistency, and (5) beauty. Look for patterns (sometimes

trends) in plots of data. Then search for mathematical relationships that

agree with the patterns. Seek to identify connections between or among

various factors in the analysis. Check for consistency from one data set to

others (different investigators and different conditions). Finally, look for

mathematical beauty (such as symmetry) in the models. The last is usually

the most difficult to achieve and is often ignored.


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