The first version of a mathematical-physiological simulator of the daily growth of a sugarcane crop (SIMCANA) as a function of the environmental conditions during the growing season is described. SIMCANA summarizes most of the available information regarding to the physiological processes of the sugarcane crop. This version does not include the germination and flowering processes, therefore it is necessary to specify the crop conditions at the first day of simulation. Given the daily conditions of global solar radiation, maximum and minimum temperature, and the relative humidity, SIMCANA computes the rates of crop photosynthesis, respiration, and growth, the senescence rates for leaves and roots, the dry mass of leaves, stems, and roots, and the leaf area index. Although several empirical relations have been used, SIMCANA seems to be able to simulate the sugarcane crop growth.
simulation; mathematical-physiological model; photosynthesis rate; respiration rate; growth rate; leaf area index; sugarcane