Rice phenology and growth simulation using CERES-Rice model under the agro-climate of upper Brahmaputra valley of Assam

Abstract

Crop growth simulation models, properly validated against experimental data have the potential for facilitating strategic decision making in agriculture. Such validated models can also make use of the information generated for site specific experiments and trials to other sites and for different time durations. For proper calibration and evaluation of crop simulation models, there is a need for collection of a comprehensive minimum set of data on soil, weather and crop management in all agronomic experiments. Keeping this in view, data from seven field experiments conducted at Jorhat (26° 47' N, 94°12' E; 87 m amsl) during 1998-2005 for long duration rice cultivar Ranjit grown under rainfed conditions were collected. Genetic coefficients required for running the CERES-Rice v4.5 model were derived and the performance of the model under the climate of upper Brahmaputra valley was evaluated. These results indicate that the CERES Rice v4.5 model is capable of estimating growth stages and grain yield of rice cultivar Ranjit in the climatic conditions of upper Brahmaputra valley with reasonable accuracy. Hence, the model have the potential for its use as a tool in making various strategic and tactical decisions related to agricultural planning in the state.