Application of DSSAT Model to Identify the Optimum Sowing Dates in Improving Pearl Millet Yield

Author: Sarika, Jyoti Rani, Anil Kumar, Raj Singh and Chander Shekhar Dagar

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Abstract

Pearl millet has the potential to cope with the effects of climate change to some extent. Choosing an appropriate variety and planting date could help farmers increase their low yield. The Crop-Environmental Resource Synthesis Model for Pearl Millet (CERES-Millet) was used to stimulate crop yields during the kharif season 2018. This field experiment was laid out in a split-plot design comprised of three main plot treatments based on sowing dates namely D1 (5th July), D2 (15th July) and D3 (31st July) with sub plot treatments comprising three different cultivars viz. V1 (GHB 558), V2 (HHB 67 Improved) and V3 (HHB 272) with four replications. After simulation, the total predicted yield was 3000.89 Kg ha-1, compared to the total measured yield of 2989.56 Kg ha-1. The model overestimated the days to anthesis and physiological maturity in all the treatments while underestimating the maximum LAI. The model's simulation performance was found to be satisfactory and there was reasonable agreement (± 10). The simulated results were within the acceptable limit when compared to field experimental data. The performance of the model was tested with the help of MAE (Mean Absolute Error), MBE (Mean Bias Error), RMSE (Root mean square error), and PE (Percent error). The model has proved to be suitable tool for predicting phenology, maximum LAI and grain yield of pearl millet crop which could be a satisfactory support system for effective crop management decisions.

Keywords

CERES-Millet model, Pearl millet, yield attributes, simulation

Conclusion

This study evaluated the performance of DSSAT (CERES-millet) model and the results revealed that comparison of observed and simulated days to anthesis and physiological maturity, maximum LAI and grain yield were in good agreement with observed values of growth and yield attributes for Hisar conditions. The model over estimated days to anthesis, physiological maturity and grain yield in all the treatments while under estimated the maximum LAI. The RMSE shows that the efficiency of model to predict the days to anthesis and physiological maturity is in reasonable limits. On the basis of outcome, farmers are suggested that second fortnight of June sowing was more suitable for pearl millet sowing for Hisar conditions. Simulation performance of the model was found satisfactory with reasonable agreement (±10 %) under different sowing dates. The model has proven to be a useful tool for pearl millet crop management optimization, phenology prediction, and potential yield estimation.

References

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How to cite this article

Sarika, Jyoti Rani, Anil Kumar, Raj Singh and Chander Shekhar Dagar (2023). Application of DSSAT Model to Identify the Optimum Sowing Dates in Improving Pearl Millet Yield. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(10): 426-431.