Temperature effect on growth parameters of wheat (cv. PBW 343) using ceres-wheat model for different sowing dates in foot hills of western Himalayas

To quantify the effect of temperature on productivity of wheat (cv. PBW-343) using CERES-wheat model in foot hills of Western Himalayas, experiments were conducted at the Norman E. Boriaug Crop Research Centre of GBPUAT, Pantnagar during 2007–08 and 2008–09. The experiments were laid out in split plot design (SPD) with three dates of sowing i.e. November 20, December 15 and January 09. The CERES-wheat model was calibrated based on actual data of field experiments in foot hills of Western Himalayas. All crop characters, as simulated by the CERES-wheat model, in terms of anthesis, physiological maturity and grain yield were found to have increased due to decreased units of minimum and maximum temperatures (Tmin and Tmax) and vice-versa for all sowing dates. More decreased in simulated grain yields were accounted due to increased units of Tmin (13.3, 23.7 and 34.5% by 1, 2 and 3°C, respectively) and Tmax (10.4, 20.9 and 31.5% by 1, 2 and 3°C, respectively) on 20^th November sowing. While, the simulated grain yield increased significantly more on 20^th November sowing due to decreased Tmin (6.0, 11.6 and 19.2% by 1, 2 and 3°C, respectively) and Tmax (9.2, 14.6 and 21.9% by 1, 2 and 3°C, respectively).