CERES-Rice model: Calibration, evaluation and application for solar radiation stress assessment on rice production
by Dilip Kumar Swain, Srikantha Herath, Sanjoy Saha, Rabindra Nath Dash
- The study focuses on calibrating and evaluating the CERES-Rice model (DSSAT v. 4.0) using experimental data from the wet seasons of 2001 and 2002 in Cuttack, Orissa.
- The model successfully predicts phenological events and grain yield for the cultivar IR 36, with close alignment to experimental data at different nitrogen (N) levels.
- The researchers also use the model to assess the impact of solar radiation stress caused by Atmospheric Brown Clouds during the dry season.
- Historical weather data from 1983 to 2002 is used to analyze the effects of a 30% reduction in incident solar radiation on rice grain yield.
- Under non-fertilized conditions, the reduction in grain yield is found to be 4%.
- With higher rates of N application (120 kg N/ha), the reduction in grain yield due to similar solar radiation stress increases to 12%.
- The decrease in grain yield is attributed to a decrease in grain formation caused by solar radiation stress and insufficient nutrient availability.
- The study demonstrates the CERES-Rice model's ability to predict phenological events and grain yield in relation to N levels.
- It emphasizes the negative impact of solar radiation stress on rice production and highlights the importance of optimizing N management to mitigate these effects and enhance rice yields in similar environments.
