title: Using explanatory crop models to develop simple tools for Advanced Life Support system studies.
abstract: System-level analyses for Advanced Life Support require mathematical models for various processes, such as for biomass production and waste management, which would ideally be integrated into overall system models. Explanatory models (also referred to as mechanistic or process models) would provide the basis for a more robust system model, as these would be based on an understanding of specific processes. However, implementing such models at the system level may not always be practicable because of their complexity. For the area of biomass production, explanatory models were used to generate parameters and multivariable polynomial equations for basic models that are suitable for estimating the direction and magnitude of daily changes in canopy gas-exchange, harvest index, and production scheduling for both nominal and off-nominal growing conditions.
authors.affiliation: Bioresource Engineering, Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. cavazzoni@aesop.rutgers.edu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cavazzoni
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D018533:Biomass; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D018504:Ecological Systems, Closed; D008021:Life Support Systems; D008027:Light; D008954:Models, Biological; D010788:Photosynthesis; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D010945:Plants, Edible / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects; D013025:Glycine max / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D013026:Space Flight; D018505:Waste Management
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide