Yield simulation for maize production maximization in the State of Goiás, Brazil, by using the Ceres-Maize model.

The aim of this study was to determine the best cultivar and sowing date to be use for maize in state of Goiás, to maximize the maize grain yield. It was used the Cropping System Model (CSM)-CERES-Maize, part of the DSSAT (Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer) for yield simulation of two cultivars (DAS CO32 and DKB 333B) for seven sowing dates (01/11, 10/11, 20/11, 01/12, 10/12, 20/12 and 30/12), for eight locations in the state of Goiás. The meteorological data were obtained from SECTEC/SIMEHGO weather stations, for periods ranging from 5 to 27 years. The decision criteria used were the yield variability between the sowing dates, comparison of exceedance probability for yield and percentage of yield reduction due to water deficiency. The results showed that the highest simulated yield for the state of Goiás was obtained for DAS CO32 cultivar, for the sowing date of 10/12. This sowing date also showed the lowest percentage of yield reduction