The WOFOST (WOrld FOod STudies) cropping system model

Publication date: 06-02-2026
Extent: 32 pages

Contributions by: Allard de Wit, Hendrik Boogaard, Herman Berghuijs and Martin K. van Ittersum, Wageningen University, The Netherlands

Chapter synopsis:

The WOFOST cropping system model is a process-based model developed by Wageningen University & Research (WUR) for a wide array of applications such as yield forecasting, climate impact assessments, yield gap analysis and agronomic decision support. The latest versions, WOFOST 7.3 and 8.1, introduce significant advancements, including a multi-layer soil water balance, a soil carbon/nitrogen model (SNOMIN), crop nitrogen dynamics and biomass reallocation to improve the simulation of N limited growth. These enhancements allow for a more realistic representation of Genotype × Environment × Management (G×E×M) interactions and facilitate the modeling of multi-year cropping systems, extending WOFOST’s utility beyond single-season crop growth simulations. Future developments in WOFOST 8.2 aim to improve modeling of C4 crops, include the impact of capillary rise from shallow groundwater and facilitate parameterization using external soil and climate databases.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2025.0155.15