OWSimu: An object-oriented and web-based simulator for plant growth

OWSimu is a Java-based generic plant growth simulator. According to the principles of object-oriented design, Java classes were programmed for plant growth simulation as well as relevant input, output and user interfaces. The program was developed as a Java applet with a user-friendly graphical interface running on the Web. With a Java embedded Web browser, users can link the run-time model and perform plant growth simulations at our website. OWSimu is a convenient tool for researchers, teachers and students to use in the general study of plant growth. It describes the growth of a typical plant that is free of pests and diseases. The program is currently able to simulate plant growth for more than a dozen crops and weeds under Illinois weather and three typical soil conditions. Additional data are needed to modify OWSimu so that it can have a better carbon balance model for different plant species and accommodate different varieties within a selected plant species for use in a specific crop production management system. The program source code is highly reusable for further development and for other crop modeling work.