ISHS Acta Horticulturae 313: III International Symposium on Computer Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management
A DECISION SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR THE PROTECTION OF CROPS FROM FROST |
| Authors: | Paul H. Heinemann, C. T. Morrow, Robert M. Crassweller, J. David Martsolf, K. B. Perry |
| Abstract:
A decision support system exists as a prototype and is being refined to assist managers with the development, implementation, and management of frost protection systems. The program is divided into four main modules: frost protection strategies, operational management, forecasting, and instrumentation. The frost protection strategies module includes summaries of methods, economic comparison of methods, risk partitioning, site selection, and design of heating, sprinkling, wind machine, and cover systems. The operational management assists with the operation of frost protection systems during a frost night. It includes sprinkler rates for undertree and overtree irrigation, heater requirements, and effectiveness of wind machines for a particular frost situation. The forecasting module includes both long term tools to determine "frost windows" or when a particular area is susceptible to frost, and short term tools to show how cold the temperatures will get during a particular night and the duration of those cold temperatures. The instrumentation module shows the user how to instrument a crop for frost detection, including location and types of sensors. The frost program is being designed to be an addition to other commodity management expert systems that have already been or are being developed, including The Penn State Apple Orchard Consultant, PeachES, and VITIS (viticulture management). | |
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