Evaluation of MSM Model and Its Application for Prediction of Water Requirements, Planting Dates and Forage Production of Maize

Agricultural investigations use computer models for simulation of crop growth and field water management. By using these models, the effects of plant growth parameters on crop yields are simulated, hence, the experimental costs are reduced. In this paper, the model of MSM (Maize Simulation Model) was calibrated and validated for the prediction of maize forage production at Agricultural College, Shiraz University in 1382 and 1383 by using maize forage yield under furrow irrigation with four irrigation and three nitrogen treatments. Irrigation treatments were I4, I3, I2, and I1, with the depth of water 20% greater than, equal to, 20% and 40% less than potential crop water requirements, respectively. Nitrogen treatments were N3, N2, and N1, with the application of N as urea equal to 300, 150, and 0 kg N ha-1, respectively. After calibration and validation of MSM, it was used to estimate suitable planting dates, forage yield and net requirement of water discharge for planting at different dates. The results indicated that the net requirement of water discharge was reduced by gradual planting at different planting dates. By considering different planting dates for maize, from Ordibehest 20th to Tir 10th, the planting area might be increased 17.9%, compared with single planting date on Ordibehesht 30th under a given farm water discharge and full irrigation.