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Master plan

Master plan

DSSAT File X master plan

Welcome to the complete guide for mastering DSSAT File X. This native page uses MkDocs Material components (tabs, callouts, and code blocks) so it renders everywhere without custom HTML.

Course overview

The lesson plan will guide you through structure, components, and best practices for creating and managing experiment files effectively.

At a glance

  • Duration: 4–6 hours
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Outcome: Mastery of File X

Learning objectives

  • Understand File X structure
  • Configure simulation controls
  • Design treatment structures
  • Validate and troubleshoot

Lessons

What is DSSAT File X?

File X is the experiment details file that defines experimental conditions, treatments, and simulation parameters.

Key point

File X is the bridge between your experimental design and the crop simulation model.

File naming convention

INSTI + YEAR + EXNO + CROP + "." + EXT
Example: UFGA8801.SBX
- UFGA: Institution/Location Code
- 88: Year (1988)
- 01: Experiment Number
- SB: Crop Code (Soybean)
- .SBX: File Extension

File organization

*EXP.DETAILS  Experiment identification
*GENERAL      Simulation timing and control
*TREATMENTS   Treatment definitions and factor levels
*CULTIVARS    Variety and genetic coefficients
*FIELDS       Field conditions and soil references
*INITIAL CONDITIONS  Starting soil conditions
*PLANTING DETAILS    Planting information
*IRRIGATION   Water management schedules
*FERTILIZERS  Nutrient management plans
*HARVEST DETAILS      Harvest timing and methods

Section headers and formatting

*EXP.DETAILS: UFGA8801.SBX
@INSI  . . . . . . . .  INSTI
UFGA
@LATI  . . . . . . . .  LATITUDE
29.63
@LONG  . . . . . . . .  LONGITUDE
-82.37
@ELEV  . . . . . . . .  ELEVATION
40
  • * indicates section headers
  • @ indicates variable header lines
  • ! indicates comment lines
  • Blank lines are ignored

Missing data handling

Conventions

  • -99 integer missing values
  • -99.0 real missing values
  • Blank fields: missing or default
  • NA not applicable
@N OPTIONS    WATER NITROGEN PHOSPHOR MINERAL DISEASES
Y Y Y N N N

@N METHODS    LIGHT INTERCEPTION EVAPOTRANSPIRATION
1 1 1

@N MANAGEMENT PLANTING IRRIGATION FERTILIZER RESIDUE HARVEST
R R F R R

@N OUTPUTS     DAILY SUMMARY GROWTH WATER NITROGEN
Y Y Y Y Y
  • Management codes: R=Reported, A=Auto, F=Fixed, N=None
  • Output controls: choose frequency and processes
@N TREATMENTS    6
@N TRNO R O C TNAME
 1 1 1 1 1 T1: Control
 2 1 1 1 2 T2: High Density
 3 1 1 2 1 T3: Irrigated
 4 1 1 2 2 T4: High Density + Irrigation
 5 2 1 1 1 T5: Fertilized
 6 2 1 2 2 T6: Full Treatment
  • TRNO treatment number, R rep, O block, C rotation, TNAME description
  • Level numbers: 0=no data, 1=first entry, 2=second, n=nth

Validation checklist

  • Verify headers (*, @)
  • Validate data alignment and formats
  • Confirm missing value codes
  • Confirm logical sequences and references

Workflow integration

1. Weather preparation (FILEW)
2. Soil profile setup (FILES)
3. Cultivar selection (FILEC)
4. Experiment design (FILEX)
5. Batch processing
6. Output analysis

Resources

  • DSSAT docs: https://dssat.net
  • DSSAT User Guide Vol. 1: https://dssat.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/DSSAT-vol1.pdf
  • Source code: https://github.com/DSSAT/dssat-csm-os