Evaluation of CERES-wheat v2.10: Soil water content under rainfed conditions

Abstract

In the semi-arid wheat production areas of the Free State province, the low and erratic rainfall, especially during early spring, is the most limiting natural resource for rainfed wheat production. Accurate simulation of soil water content by crop growth simulation models is therefore critically important. Validation data were collected on four benchmark ecotopes for rainfed wheat production in the Free State province of South Africa over a three-year period. The trials were planted in a randomized block design with four replications. Three cultivars were planted and tested on each ecotope. Plant components, yield components and soil water content measurements were done according to IBSNAT standards for a minimum data set for model validation. Soil water content was monitored continuously with a neutron water meter during the growing season, with more emphasis on the warmer and wetter part of it. The soil physical and chemical properties required as input by the model were determined. Measured data were compared with simulated data, as produced by the standard version of CERES-wheat version 2.10, using graphical and statistical methods. Simulation of the soil water content through the growing season was generally reasonably accurate, but over and under-predictions occurred during critical growth stages. The simulation of plant and yield components was not accurate and large over and under- predictions occurred.