The DSSAT model simulations of soil moisture and evapotranspiration over central India and comparison with remotely-sensed data

In this study, the decision support system for agrometeorology transfer (DSSAT) v4.6 model has been used to simulate soil moisture and evapotranspiration over central India (Madhya Pradesh) for the period 1990–2011 during drought years. Drought years were identified using observed gridded rainfall datasets for the monsoon months June, July and August for selected stations viz., Balaghat, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur and Seoni in Madhya Pradesh. Remote sensing data from the European Space Agency (ESA) derived soil moisture and moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) evapotranspiration have been used to compare the model simulated soil moisture and evapotranspiration at daily scale. It is found that the ESA derived soil moisture and MODIS evapotranspiration are closer to model simulated soil moisture and evapotranspiration respectively. RMS error of 0.07–0.17 m3 m− 3 is noted in model simulated soil moisture for each station and RMS error of 60–100 mm is noticed in model simulated evapotranspiration over each station. Therefore, the DSSAT model simulated soil moisture and evapotranspiration during drought years are useful parameters for drought monitoring and prediction during drought occurrences.