Number of leaves and phenology of rice hybrids simulated by the SimulArroz model

Process-based-models can predict leaf and reproductive development of agricultural crops. The objective of this study was to calibrate and evaluate the SimulArroz model in simulating the number of leaves on the main culm and the phenology of three hybrid rice cultivars in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Field experiments were conducted in Santa Maria, Cachoeirinha, Uruguaiana and Santa Vitoria do Palmar, in Rio Grande do Sul state, in two growing seasons. Observations were made to determine the number of leaves in the main culm through the Haun scale and the phenology of three hybrid cultivars (PRIME CL, INOV CL and QM 1010 CL) and a conventional rice cultivar used as a control (IRGA 424). The calibration of the SimulArroz model was efficient for simulating the number of leaves and phenology as a function of the sowing date and maturity group of three hybrid rice cultivars in Rio Grande do Sul.