Calibration and validation of DSSAT model for kharif groundnut in north-Saurashtra agro-climatic zone of Gujarat

The DSSAT model was calibrated and validated for kharif groundnut (cv. GG-2 and GG-20) using past experimental data (2007 to 2009) of Dry Farming Research station, J.A.U., Targhadia, Rajkot (20 degrees 18E N 70 degrees 56E E), Gujarat with two dates of sowing (D-1: Onset of monsoon 1st July; D-2: After 15 days of D-1 15th July). The yield and yield attributes, phenological stages, harvest index, shelling percentage as simulated by model were compared with the observed data. The results revealed that the model underestimated the LAI and haulm yield for both the cultivars and overestimated rest of the parameters. The average error percent of pod yield for cv. GG-2 as simulated by DSSAT model was 2.2 % and for cv. GG-20 it was 1.6 %.