DSSAT-CERES Sorghum model was calibrated and evaluated for four kharif sorghum genotypes (CSV-17, CSV-23, CSH-16 and CSH-23) using two years (kharif 2011 and 2012) experimental data, and then used to simulate growth and yield of same four genotypes under two moisture regimes (rainfed as stressed and irrigated as no-stressed) and three dates of sowing (15, June, 30, June and 15, July) on blacks soils of Dharwad. The study showed that variation in rainfall between years greatly affected kharif sorghum yield as crop experienced moisture stress during both the years, but much more during 2012 (rain deficit year) than in 2011 (above normal year), thus proving that kharif sorghum requires supplemental irrigation at critical stages to realize potential yields. Among different cultivars tested, CSH-16 performed well (6637 and 5174 kg ha^-1 in stressed and non-stressed condition, respectively) compared to other genotypes across moisture regimes and dates of sowing. Among the dates of sowing, 15^th June sown crop recorded higher yield both under stressed and no-stressed condition as compared to later sowing (30, June and 15, July), but the per cent yield difference between stressed and non-stressed condition were higher during 2012 (30.62 %) than 2011 (22.28 %).