Investigating the Effect of Drip and Furrow Irrigation Methods on the Simulation of Sugar Beet Yield by Using AquaCrop Model

Optimal use and management of water resources is very important. Also, choosing the appropriate irrigation method plays a vital role in saving water consumption in the agricultural sector. Therefore, in the current research, the effect of the irrigation method on the simulation of sugar beet yield was investigated using the AquaCrop model. In this study, the effect of two methods of drip irrigation (tape) and surface irrigation (furrow) and three levels of irrigation water (50%, 75%, and 100% of the plant's water requirement) on the yield of sugar beet plants was investigated in Sarayan-Ayask region, Iran. A factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with 4 replications in 2021-22. The results showed that irrigation method had a significant effect on leaf diameter, leaf length, leaf weight, tuber diameter, and tuber length and weight of sugar beet tuber. Also, according to the results, drip irrigation had greater effect than furrow irrigation on the studied traits. Then, the grain and biomass yield was simulated using the AquaCrop model and the simulated values were calibrated and verified using observational data. Calibration was done using two replications of 100% and 50% stress levels, and validation was done using the replication of 75% stress level. The NRMSE, RMSE, RD and R2 coefficients of the model calibration values showed that the simulated and validated values were close to each other and these values were more precise in drip irrigation than in furrow irrigation. Validation values of two irrigation methods also showed the ability of model in simulating grain yield and biomass.