Strengths and limitations of Bio∑TERM®, a thermal time calculator program
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.24.34.1.0.2266Keywords:
growth, mean temperatures, base temperature, modelingAbstract
Temperature is one of the main determinants of plant growth. Growth simulation models based on base temperatures and thermal accumulation requirements for each species or crop are widely used to model their behavior at different latitudes. But the calculation of the thermal time necessary to complete certain growth phases requires as input the average daily temperatures of the period to be calculated and the base temperature (Tb) of the species, information that is sometimes difficult to obtain. The Bio∑TERM® program was designed with the objective of facilitating and simplifying the conversion of units from calendar time to thermal time and vice versa in Argentina. For this, it has two databases, one with average daily temperatures for the entire country for 50 years and another with base temperatures of different species and cultivars. Both databases allow quick and simple calculation, transforming calendar times in thermals for a wide set of species, and even for those that are not incorporated into it and the user knows their Tb, or transform a known thermal time into a calendar. The program proved to be very accurate, when real vs. calculated data were compared, for different time series of average temperatures, showing a high degree of adjustment when real data are not available. The Bio∑TERM® program tries to be a powerful tool and at the same time provide a simple solution both for researchers who wish to transmit or disseminate knowledge that is very difficult to apply in calendar time, as well as for advisors and producers who want to use said knowledge in a more friendly way.
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