RAL has been engaged with the research community to develop an integrated modeling system that captures interactions between weather, climate, crop growth, urbanization, and hydrology. Developing the integrated WRF-Crop modeling system involves two steps: 1) coupling the Noah-MP photosynthesis and soil hydrology components with crop-growth models, and 2) developing crop-specific parameters required by crop-growth models. The crop-growth models are intended to simulate phenological development, growth and yield formation from emergence until maturity using crop genetic properties, weather, and soil conditions following methods developed and adapted in the agriculture communities. Simulated processes include phenological development rate, gross CO2 assimilation, maintenance respiration, dry matter partitioning for biomass accumulation, growth and senescence of leaves, extension of roots, and crop yields. WRF-Crop incorporates a database on crop characteristics per species, which, for instance, includes the following crop-specific characteristics:
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