CERES-Maize and water regime: validation of a new water stress model.

摘要

The CERES-Maize model was tested in semi-arid mediterranean conditions in Italy and a new sub-model proposed for the water stress coefficient. The latter was defined as a mathematical relationship between the ratio of actual evapotranspiration/maximum evapotranspiration and leaf water potential measured at pre-dawn. The original and the revised versions of the model were validated using the data collected in a field trial carried out at Rutigliano, Italy on maize crops submitted to 3 water regimes.The comparison between measurement and simulation showed that the original version significantly underestimated leaf area index (LAI), cumulative above-ground biomass and grain yield in water stress conditions. The revised version remarkably improved the simulation, although LAI previsions should be improved.