Evaluation of the ORYZA2000 Rice Growth Model under Nitrogen-Limited Conditions in an Irrigated Mediterranean Environment

oryza2000 is a growth model for tropical lowland rice ( oryza sativa l.) developed by the international rice research institute and wageningen university. this model has been evaluated extensively in a wide range of environments. however, reports examining japonica cultivars growing in temperate climates are scarce. in this study, oryza2000 was calibrated and evaluated using data from experiments carried out in the south-central area of chile. these experiments were performed on a japonica rice cultivar growing under an irrigated mediterranean environment at various n rates. oryza2000 was then applied to explore potential yield and grain yield response to n fertilization under likely weather conditions in the major rice-producing area in chile. oryza2000 was sufficiently accurate to simulate grain yield and crop n uptake at the end of the season. final crop n uptake was simulated with a root mean squared error (rmse) of 20 kg ha-1 (15%) and grain yield with a rmse of 1666 kg ha-1 (19%). however, the prediction of biomass and n uptake of individual organs throughout the season was poor. a long-term simulation study confirmed a potential yield as high as 12 000 kg ha-1 in the parral area, as well as the existence of a scope for yield increase. the yield response to n fertilization was predicted even at rates of 300 kg ha-1, although a significant probability of low yields was also observed. this trend supports the need to incorporate dynamic n management in chilean rice production.