Estimating Genetic Parameters for DSSAT CROPGRO-Cotton Model Calibration and Validation

DSSAT CROPGRO-Cotton Model (version 4.7.5) was generally used to forecast the effect of climate change on productivity. The objective of this study was to calibrate and validate this model in Tamil Nadu, India for simulation of development, growth and seed cotton yield of Suraj cotton cultivars under varied planting dates viz., 28th July, 11th August, 18th August, 25th August, 8th September and 15th September. The model was calibrated with data (phenology, biomass and yield components) collected during 2019. Calibration of CROPGRO-Cotton model with genetic coefficients of cultivar Suraj for seed cotton yield (kg ha-1). Simulation of days to flowering, days from planting to first pod and physiological maturity, LAI and seed cotton yield with normalized RMSE (NRMSE) values of less than 10% across all the various planting dates densities were considered excellent. Finally, we discovered that planting at the right time can mitigate many of the negative effects of fluctuating weather on cotton productivity. As a result conclude that DSSAT model will be used to make decision on cotton planting in changing climates.