Simulating the effect of sowing dates and different irrigation levels on wheat cultivars using DSSAT-CSM-CERES wheat model

Abstract

To study the effect of different sowing environments and irrigation levels on wheat cultivars, a multi-location experiment was conducted at PAU Regional Research Station, Bathinda (BTI) and Faridkot (FDK) districts of Punjab during Rabi season 2016-17. Results revealed that the CERES-wheat model showed lesser deviation in simulated value over normal with the crop sown on 21st November, while, higher deviation with delayed sowing on phenology and yield of wheat for both the locations. Higher days of phenology, yield and leaf area index (LAI) were observed with recommended irrigation level (I1) and decreased as the irrigation frequency was reduced a found least with I5 when irrigation was skipped a CRI, flowering and dough stages. Due to greater variations of more than 50 per cent between observed and simulated value, the CERES-wheat-model was not found able to simulate days to emergence and LAI, while, model performed well in respect of anthesis, maturity with lesser error. The model was found able to simulate yield also as R2 was found to be highly significant and positive for grain yield (BTI 0.98 and FDK 0.92) and biomass yield (BTI 0.96 and FDK 0.87), respectively. The higher value of d-Stat for grain yield (BTI 0.98 and FDK 0.97) biomass yield (BTI 0.98 and FDK 0.96), respectively, indicated lesser error between observed and simulated value.