TITLE:
Modeling of Different Irrigation Methods for Maize Using AquaCrop Model: Case Study
AUTHORS:
Thamer Thamer, Nadine Nassif, Ayad Almaeini, Nadhir Al-Ansari, Diaa Hassan
KEYWORDS:
AquaCrop Model, Grain Yield, Maize, Subsurface Drip Irrigation, Water Productivity
JOURNAL NAME:
Engineering,
Vol.13 No.8,
August
26,
2021
ABSTRACT: Modeling of irrigation methods is one of
the most important techniques that contribute to the future of modern
agriculture. This will conserve water as water scarcity is a major threat for
agriculture. In this study, AquaCrop model was used to model different
irrigation methods of maize in field trails in Al-Yousifya, 15 km Southwest of
Baghdad. Field experiments were conducted for two seasons during 2016 and 2017
using five irrigation methods including furrow, surface drip and subsurface
drip with three patterns of emitter depth (10, 20 and 30 cm) irrigation. AquaCrop
simulations of biomass, grain yield, harvest index and water productivity were
validated using different statistical parameters under the natural conditions
obtained in the study area. For 2016 and 2017 seasons, results of R2 were 0.98 and 0.99, 0.99 and 0.99, 0.99 and 0.97, and 0.8 and 0.73 for biomass,
grain yield, harvest index and water productivity, respectively. The study has
conducted that simulation using AquaCrop is considered very efficient tool for
modeling of different irrigation applications for maize production under the existing conditions in the central region
of Iraq.