B3. Modelling to increase productivity and reduce environmental impact of farming systems

Agriculture is facing unprecedented challenge under global change. While feeding the growing population requires production of more food with increased input, management strategies need to be optimised to reduce the negative impact on the environment, e.g. nutrient pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This session invites studies that combine experimental measurements and simulation modelling to seek for solutions to advance crop productivity while reducing the use (or overuse) of resources (water, fertilizer etc) and the negative impact on the environment, particularly in the face of long-term climate variability and future climate change. These solutions should increase the resource use efficiency, but not at the cost of significantly reduced productivity. Studies that address either crop productivity or environmental impact or both are welcome. We also welcome studies that enable improved modelling of key biophysical processes and quantification of resource use efficiency frontiers and yield gaps, and that use life cycle analysis (LCA) to optimise management strategies.