Nitrogen modeling of potato fields in the Bolivian Andes using GLEAMS

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dc.contributor.authorWalker, Sarah Madelineen
dc.contributor.committeechairHeatwole, Conrad D.en
dc.contributor.committeememberWolfe, Mary Leighen
dc.contributor.committeememberAlley, Marcus M.en
dc.contributor.departmentBiological Systems Engineeringen
dc.coverage.spatialBoliviaen
dc.coverage.spatialAndesen
dc.coverage.spatialSouth Americaen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T20:45:59Zen
dc.date.adate2009-10-01en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T20:45:59Zen
dc.date.issued2009-09-11en
dc.date.rdate2009-10-01en
dc.date.sdate2009-09-25en
dc.description.abstractAn increase in population in rural agricultural communities and higher demand for food throughout Bolivia create the need for increased agricultural production. The objective of this study was to assess the suitability of the GLEAMS model as a tool for evaluating fertilization and cropping system practices for potatoes in the Andes of central Bolivia, and make recommendations for the continued development of the model as an analysis tool to improve sustainable crop production. Model suitability was evaluated through assessment of model representation of observed potato farms and behavior of simulated soil nitrogen (N) and N transformation trends; validation with field data taken from six agricultural sites in central Bolivia for runoff volume, soil total Kjeldahl N concentration, crop production, and crop N uptake; and sensitivity analysis. Validation of model output with observed values was completed both graphically and by determining the root mean square error standard deviation ratio (RSR) and the percent bias (PBIAS). RSR and PBIAS values for runoff volume were 4.0 and 65%, 4.5 and 4%, and 2.7 and 55% for three respective experimental plot repetitions using a calibrated SCS curve number of 90. The RSR and PBIAS, respectively, for soil total Kjeldahl N concentration were 3.0 and -2.2%. The RSR and PBIAS, respectively, for crop dry matter production were 7 and 21%. The RSR and PBIAS, respectively, for crop N uptake were 10 and 21%. The mineralization processes in GLEAMS must be improved before model application to central Bolivia, where agricultural production is highly dependent on mineralization of organic N from soil and applied animal manure. Recommendations for model improvement and development include modification to the process that determines mineralization from the soil potentially mineralizable N pool; validation of the percolation volume and nitrate leaching losses; and improved model representation of banded manure application.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.description.notesCCRA-2 (Watershed Modeling)en
dc.identifier4516en
dc.identifier.otheretd-09252009-161328en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-09252009-161328/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/35194en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartWalker_SM_T_2009.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectBoliviaen
dc.subjectAndesen
dc.subjectmanureen
dc.subjectGLEAMS modelen
dc.subjectpotatoen
dc.subjectNitrogenen
dc.titleNitrogen modeling of potato fields in the Bolivian Andes using GLEAMSen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineBiological Systems Engineeringen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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