CropSyst: a collection of object-oriented simulation models of agricultural systems

Object-orientated programming (OOP) was used to construct the CropSyst cropping system model. Components, or 'objects', used in the model included time, weather, crop, soil, crop residues, tillage, erosion, aphid population, aphid immigration, pesticide application, sowing, crop rotation and output. Different versions of the model were used to simulate crop production and soil erosion for cropping systems in E. Washington State, and to simulate yield loss and pesticide dynamics associated with Diuraphis noxia infestation. Different versions of the 'crop' object simulated different crops in a rotation. It was concluded that OOP was useful for constructing and maintaining agricultural systems models