Simulation and Assessment of AquaCrop Model in deficit irrigation management of Winter Wheat in Zanjan Region

Gradual decline in water resources require suitable management of irrigation water and applying of deficit irrigation.Field tests to analysis of different states of deficit irrigation are constrained due to restriction of the experiment reliability to the physical conditions of the test place and limited number of the testing scenario in field and the high cost of testing.To overcome these limitations, crop models can be used as a powerful tool to simulate field tests.In this research, AquaCrop model was evaluated in deficit irrigation of winter wheat in Zanajn Region.The study data was collected from filed test values which was done in Research Farm of University of Zanjan at2010-2011.The filed test was carried out to assess reaction of winter wheat to deficit irrigation treatments.The test was done as split plot design on the base of complete randomized block.Irrigation treatments were done as supplying of100%,80%and60%of crop water requirement.The first replication data was used for model calibrating.By entering harvest index data of the second and third replications data of irrigation treatment to model.their yield and water use efficiency were simulated.On the result, the highest difference between simulated and recorded data of yield and water use efficiency were as6.9%and7.0%(respectively)at the third replication of 80%crop water requirement treatment.The least difference were as1.0%and0.5%(respectively)at the second replication of60%and80%crop water requirement treatment(respectively).R2of simulated and real data was calculated0.96for yield and0.99for water use efficiency.High value ofR2data was demonstrated suitable performance of AquaCrop model in simulation and forecasting of yield and water use efficiency of winter wheat in deficit irrigation condition.