Soil physical properties web database for GOSSYM and GLYCIM crop simulation models

Knowledge of soil physical properties is needed for various kinds of environmental studies, including crop simulation where the intended users are agronomists, consultants, and growers. However, acquiring and tabulating a complete set of soils analysis data for a particular region is expensive and laborious. This paper describes the construction of a web-based soil physical properties database to meet data requirements of users of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] crop simulation models (GOSSYM and GLYCIM, respectively) in addition to providing a generic data file of soil physical properties. The data are comprised of undisturbed samples of 1074 soil horizons (or about 300 sample sites) collected from farmers' fields using a tractor-mounted hydraulic probe. Standard laboratory analyses were performed to determine the various soil physical properties. An Oracle8 relational database management system was designed and implemented to store and deliver the soil physical properties using a client/server approach. A Perl database interface was used for the server-side database connectivity to build the soil files. The database accepts queries on several attributes, including sampling location, soil series name, state, county, farm, etc. This web-based database of soil physical properties was successfully implemented and tested and is available online at www.msstate.edu/ similar toia3/ (verified 11 Aug. 2004) without any restriction of identification or password.