Abstract

Experimentally obtaining products with optimal properties for a given application, in a trial and error approach, is an expensive and slow process. In this case, the use of mathematical and computational techniques to assist in realistic theoretical predictions serve as a guide for experimental procedures and contribute to saving time and resources. However, to facilitate the application of mathematical modelling, it is necessary to resort to simplifications, in such a way as not to lose the realism of the model to be formulated. Mathematical methods are important not only for aiding experiments but also to assist process planning in horticulture, for example, planning of the: management of the cultivation of flowers, fruits and vegetables; application of agricultural technologies; planting and harvesting aiming to increase productivity; soil preparation; installation of irrigation and drainage systems; application of compost and fertilizers; pest and disease management; among others. In this context, the main purpose of this paper is to show that mathematical models can be used as a tool to aid planning and decision making processes in Horticulture.

Keywords

mathematical modelling, applied mathematics, computational techniques, process planning in horticulture, optimization, computational implementations