Solar radiation and productivity in tropical ecosystems.
Abstract
Equations are developed for estimating plant DM production. Estimates for a range of crops growing between 14 deg S. and 43 deg N. agreed well with measured values during vegetative growth, but overestimated production during reproductive growth because photosynthesis was overestimated and/or respiration underestimated. Limitations of models currently used for predicting crop growth from rates of photosynthesis are discussed.