Calibration and validation of CERES-rice model using varied transplanting dates and seedling ages of RNR 15048 and assessing high temperature sensitivity in the North Eastern Ghat region of Odisha

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out with four dates of transplanting (29th July, 7th August, 17th August and 27th August) and three age of seedlings (15, 25 and 35 days old) at PG Experimental farm, M. S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Parlakahemundi, Gajapati district to calibrate and validate the CERES-Rice model for RNR 15048 in the north eastern ghat region of Odisha. The model evaluation with respect to simulation of phenology at anthesis and physiological maturity is considered to be excellent with RMSEn of 3 and 1 as influenced by both dates of transplanting and age of seedlings, respectively. Similarly, the simulated grain yields were also closely related to observed yields with lower RMSE and RMSEn values. The CRM values obtained in simulating both phenology and grain yields were negative, reporting an over-estimation of predictions. Further, the model simulated yields were used to study the influence of elevated temperatures 0.3 and 0.9 C on grain yield which showed reduction in grain yields with an increase in temperatures. Therefore, the model was found to be enough sensitive to be used as a research tool in the variable agro-environments of eastenghat region of Odisha to suggest suitable management practices for RNR 15048.