Evaluation of the CERES-Maize model in simulating Campesino farmer yields in the highlands of central Mexico

A procedure was used to calibrate the DSSATv3 CERES-Maize (Zea mays) model and to evaluate its performance in simulating growth and development of mai ze using input data collected from campesino farmers instead of using data obtained from on-station experiments or from the literature. The problems e ncountered in the calibration process are illustrated, particularly the fai lure of the model to simulate the growth and development of local highland maize cultivars (HMC). It is argued that the low ambient temperatures to wh ich HMCs are exposed in the Toluca Valley are responsible for this Failure, because HMCs respond differently to temperature and have a different optim um temperature range from temperate and tropical maize cultivars. It was co ncluded that the model needs to be adjusted to allow for consideration of t he effects of constant low temperatures on the prediction of plane phenolog y and production, and partition of biomass in HMCs, since grain yield is no t the main criterion used by smallholders when selecting maize cultivars.