Simulation of soybean growth and yield using iLegume_Soybean model in Mazandaran

soybean is one of the most important oily plants in the world. More than 50 percent of the world's oilseed production is concentrated on soybean. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and apply a simple model of soybean growth and yield in eastern Mazandaran provinc. Different aspects of plant growth in the model are as follows including phonological development, leaf area changes, and the production and distribution of dry matter. Grain yield, biological yield and harvest index were simulated using different scenarios. The results showed that the regression coefficients of the observed grain yield and harvest index versus simulated values based on 95% confidence intervals were not significantly different with the coefficients of line 1: 1 (a = 0 and b = 1). The values of R2 for grain yield and harvest index were 0.96 and 0.80 respectively. Despite R2 of linear regressed line between observed yield biological versus predicted values was 0.96 but bias frome the 1:1 line was high. Therefore, it can be said that the model has the ability to predict grain yield and harvest index in the environmental conditions of Mazandaran, but it can not be suitable for soybean biological yield in Mazandaran.