Irrigation Water Management for Wheat Using Aquacrop Model إدارة میاه الری الحقلی للقمح باستخدام نموذج AquaCrop

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the performance of the Food and Agriculture Organization "AquaCrop" model (version 6.1) in simulating the productivity and biomass of wheat crops in old lands under the surface irrigation system. Field data for the period from 2013-2016 were used to calibrate the model's through matching productivity and biomass observed using root mean square error (RMSE) 0.05 and 0.2 ton/ha and Nash coefficient values of 0.9 and 0.8, resp. A calibrated model was simulated the grain yield to generate an irrigation schedule with the aim of developing an appropriate irrigation management strategy for wheat. Results showed that the highest value of wheat water production was achieved through the application of five irrigations when applying fixed net application (80 mm) with a total of 400 mm for the season and different interval between irrigation ranges between 30-39 days depended on depilation of the 80% of Readily Available Water (RAW) threshold while taking into rainy mind. This sequence was superior to the normal used irrigation sequence conducted from 2013 to 2016 (fixed net application 80,96mm and fixed interval 27,33 days on six and five irrigations application resp. with a total of 480 mm per season). 16.7% less water use with increasing water productivity is one of the important things at the present time. The results will help determine an irrigation management option appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions and farm resources, and thus this model can be used as a decision support tool in increasing water productivity.