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Calibration and Validation of AQUACROP and APSIM Models to Optimize Wheat Yield and Water Saving in Arid Regions

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  • Ahmed M. S. Kheir

    (International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, ICBA, Dubai 14660, United Arab Emirates
    Agricultural Research Center, Soils, Water and Environment Research Institute, Giza 12112, Egypt)

  • Hiba M. Alkharabsheh

    (Department of Water Resources and Environmental Management, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Al Balqa Applied University, Salt 19117, Jordan)

  • Mahmoud F. Seleiman

    (Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Adel M. Al-Saif

    (Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Khalil A. Ammar

    (International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, ICBA, Dubai 14660, United Arab Emirates)

  • Ahmed Attia

    (International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, ICBA, Dubai 14660, United Arab Emirates)

  • Medhat G. Zoghdan

    (Agricultural Research Center, Soils, Water and Environment Research Institute, Giza 12112, Egypt)

  • Mahmoud M. A. Shabana

    (Agricultural Research Center, Soils, Water and Environment Research Institute, Giza 12112, Egypt)

  • Hesham Aboelsoud

    (Agricultural Research Center, Soils, Water and Environment Research Institute, Giza 12112, Egypt)

  • Calogero Schillaci

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy)

Abstract

The APSIM-Wheat and AQUACROP models were calibrated for the Sakha 95 cultivar using phenological data, grain and biomass yield, and genetic parameters based on field observation. Various treatments of planting dates, irrigation, and fertilization were applied over the two successive winter growing seasons of 2019/2020 and 2020/2021. Both models simulated anthesis, maturity dates, grain yield, and aboveground biomass accurately with high performances (coefficient of determination, index of agreement greater than 0.8, and lower values of root mean square deviation) in most cases. The calibrated models were then employed to explore wheat yield and water productivity (WP) in response to irrigation and nitrogen fertilization applications. Scenario analyses indicated that water productivity and yield of wheat ranged from 1.2–2.0 kg m –3 and 6.8–8.7 t ha –1 , respectively. Application of 0.8 from actual evapotranspiration and 120% from recommended nitrogen dose was the best-predicted scenario achieving the highest value of crop WP. Investigating the suitable option achieving the current wheat yield by farmers (7.4 t ha –1 ), models demonstrated that application of 1.4 from actual evapotranspiration with 80% of the recommended nitrogen dose was the best option to achieve this yield. At this point, predicted WP was low and recorded 1.5 kg m –3 . Quantifying wheat yield in all districts of the studied area was also predicted using both models. APSIM-Wheat and AQUACROP can be used to drive the best management strategies in terms of N fertilizer and water regime for wheat under Egyptian conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmed M. S. Kheir & Hiba M. Alkharabsheh & Mahmoud F. Seleiman & Adel M. Al-Saif & Khalil A. Ammar & Ahmed Attia & Medhat G. Zoghdan & Mahmoud M. A. Shabana & Hesham Aboelsoud & Calogero Schillaci, 2021. "Calibration and Validation of AQUACROP and APSIM Models to Optimize Wheat Yield and Water Saving in Arid Regions," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:12:p:1375-:d:700462
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    2. Emmanuel Lekakis & Athanasios Zaikos & Alexios Polychronidis & Christos Efthimiou & Ioannis Pourikas & Theano Mamouka, 2022. "Evaluation of Different Modelling Techniques with Fusion of Satellite, Soil and Agro-Meteorological Data for the Assessment of Durum Wheat Yield under a Large Scale Application," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-23, October.
    3. Khalil A. Ammar & Ahmed M. S. Kheir & Beshir M. Ali & Balan Sundarakani & Ioannis Manikas, 2024. "Developing an analytical framework for estimating food security indicators in the United Arab Emirates: A review," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(3), pages 5689-5708, March.
    4. He, Qinsi & Liu, De Li & Wang, Bin & Li, Linchao & Cowie, Annette & Simmons, Aaron & Zhou, Hongxu & Tian, Qi & Li, Sien & Li, Yi & Liu, Ke & Yan, Haoliang & Harrison, Matthew Tom & Feng, Puyu & Waters, 2022. "Identifying effective agricultural management practices for climate change adaptation and mitigation: A win-win strategy in South-Eastern Australia," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    5. Monteleone, Beatrice & Borzí, Iolanda & Arosio, Marcello & Cesarini, Luigi & Bonaccorso, Brunella & Martina, Mario, 2023. "Modelling the response of wheat yield to stage-specific water stress in the Po Plain," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 287(C).

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