Mathematical methods for modelling and identification of nonlinear agricultural systems

Two types of models can be used to describe nonlinear agricultural systems: mechanistic and empirical. For the first type of models, mathematical methods for simulating, a set of differential equations which characterise the underpinning process relationships are outlined. For the second type of models, mathematical methods for identifying the system using input/output responses are also outlined. The study focuses on continuous rather than discrete representation of the system dynamics and on deterministic rather than stochastic description of the system dynamics. The theory is illustrated with two examples of agricultural systems where the above methods have been applied successfully.