| The purpose of this study was to validate the crop model GOSSYM as a tool for Pima cotton management. A validation data set was collected throughout the season to compare Pima cotton growth and growth characteristics to the Pima model. Data were collected from plants grown at four nitrogen fertility conditions.;Model simulations for plant heights, mainstem nodes, square weights, leaf nitrogen, and number of bolls were close to the observed values in the early season. The simulations, however became progressively lower than the field data as the season progressed. Simulated leaf weights, number of squares, and the number of fruiting sites agreed with the field values early in the season, but became progressively higher relative to the observed values as the season progressed. Stem and boll weights were the traits most poorly simulated throughout the season. Tissue nitrogen content of plant parts and estimates of N uptake were close to values found in the literature. |
