Growth Analysis of Marandu Palisadegrass Simulated Using the Cropgro Perennial Forage Model.

The objective of this research was to use the CROPGRO perennial forage model to simulate classical growth analyses and evaluate the model accuracy with field observed data. The variables analyzed include:  crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (LAR), and leaf weight ratio (LWR) of Marandu palisadegrass in response to harvest frequencies (28 and 42 days), under rainfed condition from September 2011 to March 2012 and September  2012 to March 2013.  For evaluating model performance, we used the observed/simulated ratio, root mean square error, and the Willmott agreement index (d-statistic).  The CROPGRO perennial forage model simulated growth analysis characteristics with reasonable accuracy.