APPLICATION OF CERES-WHEAT MODEL TO SIMULATE GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND RADIATION USE EFFICIENCY OF WHEAT CROP

CERES-WHEAT Model is an important technique to assess growth, development and radiation use efficiency skills of wheat crop. Under changing climatic conditions world over, one of the suitable approach is needed to enhance the growth and reproductive skills of field crops. For the purpose, a field trial was conducted at Adoptive Research Farm Sargodha. The study comprised of four fertilizer levels viz. control (Recommended dose), 84, 114, 144 kg ha -1 and three irrigation levels viz. irrigation at crown root + jointing + milking, at crown root + booting + grain filling, and at jointing + booting + grain filling. Irrigation levels were kept in main plots and fertilizer levels were randomized in subplots. Data revealed that Crop Growth Rate (CGR), Leaf Area Index (LAI), Leaf Area Duration (LAD) and Net Assimilation Rate (NAR) were significantly increased by increasing the fertilizer levels as well as irrigation frequency. Maximum grain yield 5528 kg ha -1 was obtained while irrigating the crop at jointing + booting + grain filling stages using 144 kg ha -1 of nitrogen. Interestingly, increase in fertilizer rate increased the yield and yield components and plant growth and radiation use efficiency. In conclusion, three irrigations at jointing + booting and grain filling stage and fertilizer levels as 144 kg ha -1 is the best combination for having maximum output in terms of yield of the cultivar Bakhar-2000.