Coherent multi-variable field data set of an intensive cropping system for agro-ecosystem modelling from Müncheberg, Germany

Abstract

A six-year (1993-1998) multivariable data set for a four-plot intensive crop rotation (sugar beet - winter wheat - winter barley - winter rye - catch crop) located at Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) Experimental Station, Müncheberg, Germany, is documented in detail. The experiment targets crop response to water supply on sandy soils (Eutric Cambisol), applying rain-fed and irrigated treatments. Weather as well as soil and crop processes were intensively monitored and management actions were consistently recorded. The data set contains coherent data for soil (water, nitrogen contents), crop (ontogenesis, plant, tiller and ear numbers, above-ground and root biomasses, yield, carbon and nitrogen content in biomass and their fractions, sugar content in beet), weather (all standard meteorological variables) and management (soil tillage, sowing, fertilisation, irrigation, harvest). In addition, observation methods are briefly described. The data set is available via the Open Research Data Portal at ZALF Müncheberg and is published under doi:10.4228/ZALF.1992.271. The data set was used for model intercomparison within the crop modelling part (CropM) of the international FACCE MACSUR project. Data access via DOI 10.4228/ZALF.1992.271.