Yield Estimation of Cassava Using SIMCAS Model Over the Major Cassava Growing Regions in India

A study was carried out to test the SIMCAS (growth simulation model for cassava) model over major cassava-growing regions in India with different agro-climatic conditions to understand the wider acceptability of this model. The study locations included the major growing areas of cassava in India, viz . Thiruvananthapuram, Salem, Navsari, Ratnagiri, and West Godavari. Two varieties, H-226 (long-duration) and Sree Vijaya (short-duration), were used to validate this model. The crop growth parameters for calibrating the model were derived by conducting field experiments at the five locations under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Tuber Crops. The model verification score and agreement index during yield simulation in the case of H-226 and Sree Vijaya were ranged from 0.69 to 0.99 and from 0.52 to 0.59, respectively. The values of normalized objective function (0.10–0.26) and normalized root mean square error (excellent to fair simulations) also showed the reliability of the model simulations with the field observations. Based on the model performance, this study recommended the wider applicability of SIMCAS for simulating cassava yield irrespective of the agro-climatic conditions.