Simulation of structural dynamics of forage grass of alfalfa based on dual-scale automation

The model simulating structural dynamics of forage grass of alfalfa was developed based on the dual-scale automation. In the model, the basic development and growth unit of alfalfa was defined as the aggregation of leaf (cotyledon, simple leaf, compound leaf and stipule), internodal segment, and flower (seed). Using certain thermal interval as the time scale of model and considering the delaying mechanism, the model simulated the initial time, growth expanding time and functioning time of each basic unit of alfalfa. Under the base of preceding description, the dual-scale automation was adopted to calculate the structural dynamics of alfalfa, in which microstate standing for the basic unit of alfalfa, and macrostate for the combination of basic unit. The experiments in the field were carried out to observe the development of alfalfa and obtain the parameters of the model. Finally the development and growth of individual and stand of alfalfa were simulated by the way of visualization.