Simulation of Maize Phenology and Grain Yield Using DSSAT Model

The field experiment was conducted at the Farm of College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Godhra, Gujarat during the year 2018-19 and 2019-20 to simulate the phenology and yield of rabi maize (Zea mays L.) in sandy loam soil of the central Gujarat. The field experiment design was split split plot with 36 treatment combinations with 3 replications including three irrigation regimes (1.0IW/CPE, 0.8IW/CPE and 0.6IW/CPE), four mulch conditions (control, paddy straw, black plastic, and reflective silver plastic mulch), and three stages (tasselling, silking and dough stage). The experimental data of the year 2018-19 and 2019-20 was used for the calibration and validation of the model respectively. The result revealed a significant difference in grain yield due to irrigation regime, mulching and growth stages. The DSSAT model could good simulate grain yield (R2 = 0.989) under the simulation of irrigation regimes, mulching, and growth stages.