Assessment of aqua crop model in the simulation of potato yield and water use efficiency under different water regimes

Abstract

Conducting field experiments to determine the optimum amount of consumption water and achieve the optimal yield of plants is costly and time-consuming. Therefore, the aquacrop computer model was used to determine crops yield. The present study evaluates the performance of AquaCrop, a crop simulation model developed by FAO, in simulating potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield and water use efficiency under different water regimes in Jiroft region, Iran. Three irrigation levels, 100%, 75% and 50 % of water requirement, were arranged as a stripe-plot arrangement based on randomized block. The AquaCrop model revealed that potato yield was increased with increasing water consumption. The simulated potato yield was lower than measured potato yield in 100% and 70% of potato requirement scenarios but not in 50% conditions. The highest water use efficiency in the field conditions occurred under 75% of water requirement but the highest water use efficiency predicted by AquaCrop was found to be under 100% water requirement. Overall, results showed that the AquaCrop model could predict relatively good tuber yield, water use efficiency and water requirement values of potato under Jiroft conditions