Preliminary results of a UV-B effect incorporated GOSSYM model

Field experiments and laboratory tests have shown multiple effects of enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on cotton growth, development, and yield. Adverse effects include development of chlorotic and necrotic patches on leaves, reductions in total leaf area, plant height, photosynthesis, and yield. However, little work has been carried out to incorporate these experimental results into a simulation model and to estimate the effects of UV-B radiation under field conditions with varied environments and management practices. This study incorporates experimental results of UV-B effects on cotton crop into a cotton simulation model, GOSSYM, which is being used widely in various applications. In this work, first modules were modified to incorporate the effects of UV-B radiation on canopy photosynthesis, leaf area expansion, and stem and branch elongation. Then, the modified model was used to test the validity of model assumptions and algorithms on independent experimental data sets. Finally, preliminary studies were performed to simulate the effects of UV-B radiation in the field conditions at Stoneville, Mississippi using 30-year (1964-1993) climate data. Simulation results agreed well with experimental measurements, proving the validation of the model. Our results suggest that cotton lint yield declined with increased UV-B radiation. The reductions were 20% when UV-B irradiance was 12 kJ m-2 under irrigated conditions. Similar reductions in yield were predicted at lower UV-B radiation (11 kJ m-2) under rain-fed conditions. The modified model will be useful to simulate the impacts of UV-B radiation on cotton growth and yield under current and future climatic conditions and to suggest management options to mitigate the adverse effects.