EVALUATION OF THE DRY BEAN MODEL BEANGRO V1.01 FOR CROP PRODUCTION RESEARCH IN A TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT

Microcomputer-based simulation models are increasingly being recommend ed as multipurpose tools for agricultural research. Use of a model sho uld be conditioned by an evaluation of its performance and understandi ng of its limitations. This paper evaluates the responses of the proce ss-oriented growth model for dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), BEANGRO V1 .01, with an emphasis on the factors related to cultivar differences f or production in tropical environments. Simulations of seed yield from beans grown under conditions of a known water deficit showed good agr eement with observed data. The qualitative response to plant populatio n resembled that ofa field trial, and the model showed the expected li near relation between days to maturity and seed yield. Overall, the re sults suggest that BEANGRO has utility for certain types of agronomic studies, but that improvements are possible, particularly with respect to prediction of phenology.