Context. Computer-based crop simulation models are important tools for agricultural research and management. APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator) is commonly used around the world but has not been widely validated in North America.

Aims. The objective of this work was to evaluate the reliability of APSIM for simulating wheat production in California, with the aim of providing guidance for future field research aimed at model calibration and validation.

Methods. Environmental and management data from state-wide wheat variety trials of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were used to parameterise the APSIM-Wheat module (ver. 7.10 r4220). Simulated yield and protein data were compared with observed field trial results to test the reliability of APSIM simulations.

Key results. The most reliable simulation of grain yield had a root-mean-square error of 1040 kg/ha and normalised root-mean-square error of 16% relative to actual field data. Preliminary calibration of the model for Californian wheat varieties did not improve simulation accuracy or precision.

Conclusions. The accuracy or precision of the simulations was comparable to that of other tests of the APSIM-Wheat module in environments where it has not been previously calibrated but was considered too low to be reliable. The lack of reliability was due to the poor representation of local Californian wheat genotypes by existing APSIM cultivars, as well as possible lack of precision and accuracy of field data.

Implications. APSIM could be a valuable tool for wheat research and management in California; however, further research is needed to generate suitable field data for model calibration and validation.