Validation and Modification of Soil Organic Matter Model in Asia(<Special Issue>International Symposium: Challenges to Soil Degradation Towards Sustaining Life and Environment, Tokyo Metropolitan University Symposium Series No.2, 2009)

Abstract

The Rothamsted carbon (RothC) model, which is one of leading soil organic matter (SOM) models, was validated against data collected in long-term field experiments in Japan and Thailand. The unmodified model simulated well the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) with time in Japanese non-volcanic soils. For Andisols and paddy soils, however, the model required modifications taking into account the unique SOC dynamics of these soils. With respect to tropical soils in Thailand, the model performed well for plots with low organic matter inputs, but poorly for plots with high organic matter inputs.