This study aimed to calibrate and evaluate the crop model CROPGRO-cowpea for Recôncavo of Bahia. Five field experiments were implemented at different sowing dates: March 2007, January 2010, May 2010, October 2010 and July 2011. For crop model calibration the experiment with the highest yield was used. For calibration the maximum leaf area index was underestimated by 6.8% and the difference between simulated and observed yield was only 1%. For crop model evaluation results of other field experiments were used and the crop model showed a maximum difference of 7 days between observed and simulated phenological dates. For observed and simulated yields there were differences of 30.8% for water deficit experiment and 13.4% for experiment with no water deficit. Based on that it is possible to conclude that the crop model simulates the growth and development of cowpea in Recôncavo of Bahia well for no water deficit condition and shows limitations under water deficit condition.
modeling; Vigna unguiculata; DSSAT
