Calibration and validation of APSIM for maize grown in different seasons in Southwest tropic of China

Abstract

In order to estimate the adaptability of Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM)-Maize model under the special climate environment in tropic, 10 field experiments were conducted at different seasons in three sites (Longchuan, Mangshi and Ruili) of tropic in Yunnan Province, China. The parameters of APSIM model were calibrated and its adaptability was validated. The results showed that the days from sowing to flowering and sowing to maturity were predicted accurately for all sites with mean errors of 2.0 ± 0.4, and 3.2 ± 0.7 d respectively. The normalized root mean square errors (NRMSE) of the model for yield prediction were 2%, 3% and 5% for each of three sites, respectively, which indicated that the APSIM model had good accuracy and sensitivity in predicting phenological phases and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) grown in different seasons, and the model had good adaptability in the tropic of Southwest China. This study provided the basis and technical support for evaluating maize production potential based on the model.