Department of Agronomy, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur-176 062, H.P.
*Corresponding author's present address: Nature Plant Products Division, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR), Palampur-176 061, H.P., E-mail: rakeshkumar@ihbt.res.in
CERES-Barley model was calibrated and validated for three varieties (Dolma, Sonu and HBL-113) of barley sown on four dates between October and December under optimal agronomic management conditions in north western Himalayas. Cultivar specific genotypic coefficients were developed for these varieties during calibration. The model successfully predicted phenological stages, yield attributes and grain yield, but failed to simulate straw yield, biomass and harvest index of barley. Significant association between simulated and observed grain yield were supported by the test of significance for intercept and slope of regression line (R2 =0.7204). The model was validated with fair degree of accuracy for grain yield (R2 = 0.7545). Simulation guided management practices were worked out for these varieties under potential production and resource limiting situations.
CERES-Barley, Crop simulation, phenology, yield
