The model runs on a daily time step and is not variety-specific. It simulates: the effects of temperature on seedling emergence, the growth of foliage cover and the development of the root system down through the soil profile; the effects
of solar radiation, as intercepted by the foliage, on dry matter production; the effect of rainfall, irrigation and the soil water reserve on foliage cover and dry matter production; and the effect of crop dry weight on dry matter distribution to sugar.