OWSimu: an object-oriented and Web-based simulator for plant growth

OWSimu is a Java-based generic plant growth simulator. According to the pri nciples of object-oriented design, Java classes were programmed for plant g rowth simulation as well as relevant input, output and user interfaces, The program was developed as a Java applet with a user-friendly graphical inte rface running on the Web. With a Java (JDK1.1)-embedded Web browser, users can link the run-time model and perform-plant growth simulations at our web site. OWSimu is a convenient tool for researchers, teachers and students to use in the general study of plant growth. It describes the growth of a typ ical plant that is free of pests and diseases. The program is currently abl e to simulate plant growth for more than a dozen crops and weeds under Illi nois weather and three typical soil conditions. Additional data is needed t o modify OWSimu so that it can have a better carbon balance model for diffe rent plant species and accommodate different varieties within a selected pl ant species for use in a specific crop production management system. The pr ogram source code is highly reusable for further development and for other crop modeling work. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.