Comparing Mechanistic and Data-Driven Crop Models for Representing Small-Scale Yield Variability: A Literature Review

Abstract

Agricultural systems are under increasing pressure from population growth, climate change, and rising environmental risks, all of which threaten global food security. Greater climate variability, including more frequent temperature extremes and intense precipi- tation events, disrupts crop production and agri-food systems, with uneven impacts across regions. In this context, crop modelling has emerged as a key tool for predicting yields, supporting resource-efficient management, and informing pol