Assessing SALTMED model for wheat experiments irrigated with basin and sprinkler systems

Abstract

Comprehensive agricultural models are crucial for assisting several decision makingprocesses due to their capability for use under different conditions. SALTMED is a holisticgeneric model, which simulates yield, dry matter and soil water content under differentirrigation managements and systems. The aim of this study was to calibrate the SALTMEDmodel to simulate wheat yield, dry matter and soil water content of two different fieldexperiments using different irrigation amounts and systems, namely sprinkler and basinirrigation systems. For both irrigation systems, experimentation was conducted for twoconsecutive years. For the sprinkler irrigation system, three irrigation treatments (wet, mediumand dry) were considered. For the basin irrigation system, 50, 75 and 100% of the irrigationrequirement were applied as irrigation treatments. The SALTMED model reasonably predictedthe wheat yield and dry matter for both irrigation methods by small tuning of crop coefficientsand some growth parameters. Besides, a good agreement between observed and simulated soilmoisture content was obtained for both experiments with different irrigation treatments andsystems. Comparison of the soil moisture prediction for the two different irrigation methodsrevealed that the SALTMED model simulated the soil moisture content better under thesprinkler system. It is concluded that SALTMED model performed better under sprinklersystem rather than basin irrigation system.