Evaluation of FAO AquaCrop Model for Simulating Rainfed Maize Growth and Yields in Uganda

Mibulo, Tadeo; Kiggundu, Nicholas

doi:10.3390/agronomy8110238

Cited by 17 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 17 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…AquaCrop is a water-driven model that may be used to aid decision-making in planning and scenario analysis in a variety of seasons and locales (Corbari et al, 2021;Foster et al, 2017;Mibulo & Kiggundu, 2018). Despite its simplicity, the model elaborates on the fundamental processes involved in crop productivity and the response to water deficiencies, both physiologically and agronomically (Tefera & Mitiku, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the Performance of AquaCrop Model for Potato Production Under Deficit Irrigation

Wale¹,

Dessie

Addis

2022

Air, Soil and Water Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Crop modeling is a powerful tool for estimating yield and water use efficiency, and it plays an important role in determining water management strategies. Under the condition of scarce water supply and drought, deficit irrigation can lead to greater economic gains by maximizing yield per unit of water. Studies have shown that deficit irrigation significantly increased yield, crop evapotranspiration, and water use efficiency as compared to full irrigation requirement. However, this approach requires precise knowledge of crop response to water as drought tolerance varies considerably by growth stage, species and cultivars. This study was conducted in Lasta district, for two successive years to evaluate the effects of water shortage on potato production and water use efficiency, as well as to test the AquaCrop model for potato-producing areas. The irrigation water levels for potatoes were 100%, 75%, and 50% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Six treatments were arranged using a randomized complete block design. Climate, soil, and crop data were calibrated using observed weather parameters, and measured crop parameters conducted in the 2018/19 growing season. The model was validated using the observed data conducted in the 2019/20 growing season. The calibration of the model revealed a good fit for canopy cover (CC) with a coefficient of determination ( R2) = .98, Root mean square error (RMSE) = 9.6%, Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency ( E) = 0.92, index of agreement ( d) = 0.98, and coefficient of residual moss (CRM) = −0.07, and good prediction for biomass ( R2 = .98, RMSE = 1.8 t ha−1, E = 0.96, d = 0.99, CRM = −0.13). Similarly, the validation result showed good fit for CC by 100% water application at development and mid growth season and a 75% water applied at the other stages ( R2 = .98, RMSE = 9.4%, E = 0.94, d = 0.98, CRM = −0.12). The AquaCrop model is simple to use, requires fewer input data, and has a high level of simulation precision, making it a useful tool for forecasting crop yield under deficit irrigation and water management to increase agricultural water efficiency in data-scarce areas.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the Performance of AquaCrop Model for Potato Production Under Deficit Irrigation

Wale¹,

Dessie

Addis

2022

Air, Soil and Water Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…AquaCrop has successfully simulated crop biomass and grain yields in a number of African studies [30][31][32][33]. We were able to calculate FAO Penman-Monteith daily ETo values using a full set of daily weather data, thereby maximizing the reliability of the ETo values.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

AquaCrop-Simulated Response of Sorghum Biomass and Grain Yield to Biochar Amendment in South Sudan

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The dependency on rainfed agriculture and weak adaptability of the agricultural sector to climate change threaten food security in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Biochar has widely been touted as a relatively easy means of increasing the soil water storage capacity of soils and thereby improving or maintaining crop yields. In this study we simulated the effect of biochar amendment on sorghum aboveground biomass and grain yield at a site in South Sudan. We used the model AquaCrop parameterized using site, soil, and cropping management data from a field experiment carried out at the site in 2011 and 2012, which were both wet years. Changes in soil hydraulic properties due to biochar were based on a published meta-analysis study. In order to investigate whether the response to biochar differed in dry years, simulations were also carried out for 1990, which was the driest year during the period 1979–2014. Measured and modelled biomass and yields with and without biochar for 2011 and 2012 were compared. Simulated and measured yields depended on growing season rainfall and distribution. The simulations showed that biochar amendment had an effect on rooting zone soil water content and sorghum biomass and grain yield in 1990, but not in 2011 and 2012. In view of expected climate change, the results have important implications for sorghum production and the potential use of biochar in SSA. Given the limited response of grain yield to biochar shown in our simulations, careful selection of sorghum variety and cultivar and consideration of planting date may be a more effective means of improving yields than applying biochar.

show abstract

“…They both receive an average annual precipitation of about 1200 mm and two dry periods in June to July and December to February. The monthly average temperature in season one from March to June is 22°C for both locations; 20 and 21.3°C from September to December for both Kabanyolo and Nkozi sites (Mibulo and Kigundu, 2018;Mpigi District local Government;2015). Both sites have sandy clay to sandy clay loam soils with 54-76% sand, 4 -14% silt, and 20-42% clay (Table 1).…”

Section: Location Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 96%

The performance of selected commercial organic fertilizers on the growth and yield of bush beans in Central Uganda

Esau¹,

John²,

Mwine³

2019

Afr. J. Agric. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

To assess the quality of commercial organic fertilizers in Uganda market, a quick survey was conducted to establish the organic fertilizers being sold in Container village market in Kampala Capital City. Different products were found being sold as organic fertilizers. Four of these fertilizers are two solid (Biochar and Fertiplus) and two liquid (Biogrow and Digrow) selected for a field study. Field trials to assess the performance of the fertilizers and local farmyard manure on bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were conducted at two locations (Kabanyolo and Nkozi) for two successive seasons in 2017 and 2018 using a randomized complete block design in four replications. Forty days after planting, fresh and dry weights were estimated while biomass and grain yield were determined at harvest. The results showed inconsistencies. For example, although Biochar was found to significantly (P=0.043) increase the mean fresh weight of bush beans in season 1 (2017) at both sites (Kabanyoro and Nkozi), this was not the case in season 2 (2018). Similar performance was found with the other treatments. The mean biomass did not increase significantly (P>0.05) in season 1 (2017) and season 2 (2018) at both locations. The results in season 2 (2018) showed no significant (P>0.05) increase in the mean yield. These results were attributed to the extreme weather conditions experienced in both seasons (severe drought during season 1 and heavy rains that led to prolonged vegetative growth during season 2). These field trials should be repeated under controlled environment to minimize the weather effect.

show abstract

Evaluation of FAO AquaCrop Model for Simulating Rainfed Maize Growth and Yields in Uganda

Cited by 17 publications

References 17 publications

Evaluating the Performance of AquaCrop Model for Potato Production Under Deficit Irrigation

Evaluating the Performance of AquaCrop Model for Potato Production Under Deficit Irrigation

AquaCrop-Simulated Response of Sorghum Biomass and Grain Yield to Biochar Amendment in South Sudan

The performance of selected commercial organic fertilizers on the growth and yield of bush beans in Central Uganda

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About