The aim of this paper is to present an overview of the literature on topic of crop simulation modelling as well as actual and potential use of crop simulation models in research and practice. Definitions of many ideas are presented in a practical dictionary at the end of the paper. Crop simulation models can be divided into different groups depending on division criterion. The following groups of the models are often considered: research and practical (engineering) models; deterministic and stochastic models; mechanistic and statistic-empirical models. Specialists usually think that research crop simulation models can be complementary, not substitute, tools in field factorial experimentation. The models can generate primary information (similarly as laboratory and pot experiments) which should then be finally verified in field and farm experiments.
The paper presents abrief description of crop growth submodel in EPIC model and gives an overview of the literature on many applications of the model in research of crop production as well as of agricultural environment protection. In most cases of its application (validation) the EPIC model has proved to simulate the real processes at accurate precision.