Development of a rice simulation model for remote-sensing (SIMRIW-RS)

To evaluate rice production and management on a regional scale, a simulation model combined with remote-sensing is recommended. This study aimed to develop a simulation model for use with remote-sensing (SIMRIW-RS) to evaluate the field-to-field variation in rice production on a regional scale. This model was developed based on a simulation model for rice weather relations called SIMRIW and its derived models. The model consists of 6 components (water budget, nitrogen uptake, phenological development, leaf area index (LAI) growth, dry matter production and yield formation) and has 2 representative field parameters and 5 representative cultivar parameters. The parameters that were determined with the data from previous field studies seemed to be reflected with field and cultivar characteristics, and differences in the rice growth and production among the fields and cultivars were well explained by the model. The application of the model on a regional scale using remote sensing is discussed.