@article{01K8T7NSBZ2TAPC4ZPWQKKFAEB,
  abstract     = {{Context: Previous studies using the AquaCrop model have shown that deficit irrigation (DI) and soil management independently influence wheat production. However, their combined effects on wheat production remain poorly understood. To address this research gap, a comprehensive study involving field experiments and modeling was conducted to evaluate how the interaction between DI and integrated acidic soil management (IASM) impacts soil water content, canopy cover, biomass, and grain yield. Objective: The aim of this study was to calibrate and validate AquaCrop, allowing to further investigate how the interaction between DI and IASM influences wheat production; and to evaluate the model's performance, with a focus on addressing specific challenges related to the calibration and validation of wheat growth under DI and IASM scenarios. Methods: The accuracy of the AquaCrop model was evaluated for predicting soil water content (SWC), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) canopy cover (CC), biomass, and grain yield (GY) under DI combined with IASM strategies. Model input data for calibration and validation were obtained from field experiments conducted in the 2018 and 2019 irrigated seasons. These experiments included four irrigation scenarios (full irrigation [100 % crop water requirement, ETc], 80 % ETc, 60 % ETc and 50 % ETc), and five IASM strategies. The SWC was measured before and after irrigation events, while CC and biomass accumulation (BM) were monitored every 15 days post-sowing. Final biomass (FBM) and GY were recorded at harvest. The model was calibrated using 2018 data and validated with 2019 data. Results: The simulated SWC, CC, BM, FBM, and GY results closely matched the field-measured results for all treatments. Statistical analysis revealed a precise agreement between simulated and field-measured values. The coefficients of determination (R2) ranged from 0.83 to 0.99, and the normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) ranged from 2.1 % to 9.1 % for SWC. For CC, R2 ranged from 0.86 to 0.99 with NRMSE from 1.2 % to 9.8 %; for BM, R2 ranged from 0.81 to 0.99 with NRMSE from 1.1 % to 7.8 %; and for GY, R2 ranged from 0.87 to 0.99 with NRMSE from 1.4 % to 7.4 %. Conclusions: The model performed well under severe water stress, proving its suitability for predicting wheat productivity. However, challenges were encountered in adjusting soil fertility levels, particularly with the uniform application of mineral fertilizers across all treatments. More iterations were required to match the simulated values with the field-measured values as water and soil fertility stress increased. Implications or significance: Despite these challenges, the AquaCrop model demonstrated strong performance, especially under optimal soil fertility and irrigation conditions.}},
  articleno    = {{110160}},
  author       = {{Asmamaw, Desale Kidane and Walraevens, Kristine and Assaye, Habtamu and Nigate, Fenta and Adgo, Enyew and Asefa, Abera and Cornelis, Wim}},
  issn         = {{0378-4290}},
  journal      = {{FIELD CROPS RESEARCH}},
  keywords     = {{Biomass,Green canopy cover,Harvest index,Normalized water productivity,Soil water content,Grain yield,SIMULATE YIELD RESPONSE,FAO CROP MODEL,WINTER-WHEAT,GRAIN-YIELD,WATER,PERFORMANCE,QUALITY}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{16}},
  title        = {{Calibration and validation of the AquaCrop model for wheat grown under full and deficit irrigation with acidic soil management strategies}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110160}},
  volume       = {{334}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}

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