Jan Ira Banluta

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION:

The Decision Support System 4.0 for Agro technology

The Decision Support System 4.0 for Agro technology Transfer (DSSAT) is an Information System used and founded by ICASA (International for Consortium for Agricultural Systems Applications) It is a microcomputer software program combining crop soil and weather data bases and programs to manage them, with crop models and application programs, to simulate multi-year outcomes of crop management strategies. As a software package integrating the effects of soil, crop phenotype, weather and management options, DSSAT allows users to ask "what if" questions and simulate results by conducting, in minutes on a desktop computer, experiments which would consume a significant part of an agronomist's career. The Decision Support System for Agro technology Transfer (DSSAT) has been in use for more than 15 years by researchers in over 100 countries worldwide.

USERS:

The users of the system are Agro technologists and biologists. They aim to practice effective crop management strategies.
TYPE OF IS:
A decision support system

FUNCTION:

DSSAT also provides for validation of crop model outputs; thus allowing users to compare simulated outcomes with observed results. Crop model validation is accomplished by inputting the user's minimum data, running the model, and comparing outputs. By simulating probable outcomes of crop management strategies, DSSAT offers users information with which to rapidly appraise new crops, products, and practices for adoption.


ADVANTAGE IN THE ORGANIZATION (ICASA):

The release of DSSAT Version 4 incorporates changes to both the structure of the crop models and the interface to the models and associated analysis and utility programs. The DSSAT package incorporates models of 27 different crops with new tools that facilitate the creation and management of experimental, soil, and weather data files. DSSAT v4 includes improved application programs for seasonal and sequence analyses that assess the economic risks and environmental impacts associated with irrigation, fertilizer and nutrient management, climate change, soil carbon sequestration, climate variability and precision management.
DSSAT was developed through collaboration between scientists at the University of Florida, the University of Georgia, University of Guelph, University of Hawaii, the International Center for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development, Iowa State University and other scientists associated with ICASA.

BUSINESS ACTIVITIES:

The DSSAT software can be downloaded through a registration form to your personal computer. After the on-line registration, the form will be submitted through the organization’s e-mail. Because it is software, the organization practices an automated process.