PhD Project
Throughout their lifecycle, crops pass through well-defined stages of development known as phenological phases. This knowledge is crucial for farmers because a plant’s needs for fertilization and pest control change with each phase. Crop yields are also highly dependent on the climatic conditions during these specific periods.
Therefore, accurately predicting these phases using weather data can significantly improve crop management. However, the phenological models used for these predictions are often limited by two key factors: an incomplete understanding of plant biochemistry and challenges with model calibration. This PhD project addresses the calibration challenge by using Bayesian methods, which are expected to improve model accuracy and better account for uncertainty.
The development of the new models for crop phenology in Germany is part of a broader agricultural project called ‘KARO’. The project deals with the further development of regional crop production systems in order to increase their resilience to the consequences of climate change. It examines climatic, agronomic, phytosanitary, and environmental risks, as well as the resulting business and economic risks for agricultural operations. Regular exchange with farmers is intended to ensure that the results of the project can be transferred into practice as effectively as possible.
The KARO project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity.
Use of the photo permitted: https://www.grida.no/resources/1691
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