INTERFACING CROP MODELS TO STANDARD SOFTWARE FOR GREENHOUSE CLIMATE CONTROL

The use of models for the control of greenhouse climate and plant growth has been possible for several years through the introduction of the climate computer. However, only a few commercial facilities currently employ this promising technique. Scientific models are normally not developed for implementation on commercially available systems. To aid in overcoming this problem an open system architecture is proposed, which does not infringe upon copyrights or source code security for the manufacturer. By using a set of simple conventions, a model interface structure is described that enables scientists to develop and validate models in a commercial software environment. Models developed with this interface can be distributed to growers for calibration to their own actual greenhouses and crops. The interface was tested by integrating two linked models with a standard climate computer system. In addition a model shell to handle the task of time and data management necessary for running the models is described. The model shell decreases significantly the amount of programming necessary to produce and implement new models.