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Calibration and validation of the AquaCrop model for repeatedly harvested leafy vegetables grown under different irrigation regimes

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  • Nyathi, M.K.
  • van Halsema, G.E.
  • Annandale, J.G.
  • Struik, P.C.

Abstract

Traditional leafy vegetables (TLVs’) are vegetables that were introduced in an area a long time ago, where they adapted to local conditions and became part of the local culture. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the use of TLVs’ as a nutrient dense alternative food source to combat micronutrient deficiency of rural resource-poor households (RRPHs), has gained attention in debates on food and nutrition security. However, TLVs’ are underutilised because of lack of information on their yield response to water and fertiliser. To better assess TLVs’ yield response to water stress, the AquaCrop model was calibrated (using 2013/14 data) and validated (using 2014/15 data) for three repeatedly harvested leafy vegetables [Amaranthus cruentus (Amaranth), Cleome gynandra (Spider flower), and Beta vulgaris (Swiss chard)] in Pretoria, South Africa. Experiments were conducted during two consecutive seasons, in which the selected leafy vegetables were subjected to two irrigation regimes; well-watered (I30) and severe water stress (I80). Measured parameters were canopy cover (CC), soil water content (SWC), aboveground biomass (AGB), actual evapotranspiration (ETa), and water productivity (WP). Statistical indicators [root mean square error (RMSE), RMSE-standard deviation ratio (RSR), R2, and relative deviation] showed good fit between measured and simulated (0.60 < R2 < 0.99, 0.94 < RMSE < 5.44, and 0.04 < RSR < 0.79) values for the well-watered treatment. However, the fit was not as good for the water-stressed treatment for CC, SWC, ETa and WP. Nevertheless, the model simulated the selected parameters satisfactorily. These results revealed that there was a clear difference between transpiration water productivity (WPTr) for C4 crops (Amaranth and Spider flower) and a C3 crop (Swiss chard); WPTr for the C4 crops ranged from 4.61 to 6.86 kg m−3, whereas for the C3 crop, WPTr ranged from 3.11 to 4.43 kg m−3. It is a challenge to simulate yield response of repeatedly harvested leafy vegetables because the model cannot run sequential harvests at one time; therefore, each harvest needs to be simulated separately, making it cumbersome. To design sustainable food production systems that are health-driven and inclusive of RRPHs, we recommend that more vegetables (including traditional vegetables) should be included in the model database, and that sequential harvesting be facilitated.

Suggested Citation

  • Nyathi, M.K. & van Halsema, G.E. & Annandale, J.G. & Struik, P.C., 2018. "Calibration and validation of the AquaCrop model for repeatedly harvested leafy vegetables grown under different irrigation regimes," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 107-119.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:208:y:2018:i:c:p:107-119
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2018.06.012
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    5. Adeboye, Omotayo B. & Schultz, Bart & Adekalu, Kenneth O. & Prasad, Krishna C., 2019. "Performance evaluation of AquaCrop in simulating soil water storage, yield, and water productivity of rainfed soybeans (Glycine max L. merr) in Ile-Ife, Nigeria," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 213(C), pages 1130-1146.
    6. Nyathi, M.K. & Du Plooy, C.P. & Van Halsema, G.E. & Stomph, T.J. & Annandale, J.G. & Struik, P.C., 2019. "The dual-purpose use of orange-fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas var. Bophelo) for improved nutritional food security," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 23-37.
    7. Admire Isaac Tichafa Shayanowako & Oliver Morrissey & Alberto Tanzi & Maud Muchuweti & Guillermina M. Mendiondo & Sean Mayes & Albert T. Modi & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2021. "African Leafy Vegetables for Improved Human Nutrition and Food System Resilience in Southern Africa: A Scoping Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-20, March.
    8. Nyathi, M.K. & Van Halsema, G.E. & Beletse, Y.G. & Annandale, J.G. & Struik, P.C., 2018. "Nutritional water productivity of selected leafy vegetables," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 111-122.
    9. Dhouib, M. & Zitouna-Chebbi, R. & Prévot, L. & Molénat, J. & Mekki, I. & Jacob, F., 2022. "Multicriteria evaluation of the AquaCrop crop model in a hilly rainfed Mediterranean agrosystem," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    10. Nyathi, M.K. & Mabhaudhi, T. & Van Halsema, G.E. & Annandale, J.G. & Struik, P.C., 2019. "Benchmarking nutritional water productivity of twenty vegetables - A review," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 248-259.
    11. Tinashe Lindel Dirwai & Aidan Senzanje & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2021. "Calibration and Evaluation of the FAO AquaCrop Model for Canola ( Brassica napus ) under Varied Moistube Irrigation Regimes," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-18, May.

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