Calibration of HERMES model for rice (Oryza sativa) crop in Chhattisgarh

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the most important grain crop both in regard to its antiquity and its use as a source of human food grown in Chhattisgarh state as major crop. The experiment was carried out at Department of Agrometeorology, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) during kharif season of 2007–08. The phenology, LAI, biomass and grain yield of rice simulated by model were compared with that observed in the rainfed condition under field situation. Sensitivity analysis was also carried out in different temperature scenarios by increasing or decreasing daily temperature by 1°, 2° and 3°C. Results of the sensitivity analysis showed that while increasing the temperature by 1°, 2° and 3°C grain yield increased by 7, 17 and 22% under rainfed condition, respectively. While, decreasing the temperature by 1°, 2° and 3°C grain yield decreased by 10, 11 and 15% under rainfed condition, respectively. The grain yields were highly affected by changing the temperature in cultivar ARB-8 of rice crop.