Enhancing Maize Productivity Through AquaCrop Modeling Under Modern Irrigation Systems and Drought Stress Conditions

Document Type : Original Article

Author

National Research Centre, Agricultural and Biological Research Institute, Water Relations and Field Irrigation Department, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Drought stress is a major abiotic stress resulting from conditions including decreased humidity, elevated salinity, thermal stress, and insufficient light intensity, among others. Intense water stress in maize plants results in a reduction of yield and its constituents. Maize productivity declines by 15-30% as a result of drought stress. This study aimed to identify the ideal irrigation technique for enhancing maize genotype efficiency and attaining the highest possible yields per unit area, utilizing the AquaCrop model to calibrate water productivity. The present investigation was executed at the El-Noubaria Research Station of the National Research Centre in El-Behaira Governorate.This study involved sixteen distinct maize varieties, cultivated under three varying irrigation regimes. The maize genotypes were assessed during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons under three distinct irrigation levels: 40% (m3/ha), 60% (m3/ha), and 80% (m3/ha), all administered using spray irrigation. The findings indicate that hybrids SC 168, SC 164, and SC 124 are strongly endorsed for maize breeding initiatives focused on enhancing drought resistance in arid areas. The comparison of observed and simulated water productivity (WP) indicated that achieving high WP, together with elevated yield and its components, is attainable through the calibration of the Aquacrop model. This finding substantiates the favorable association identified in the review between observed and simulated WP, grain yield, and yield components.

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History

  • Receive Date: 03 November 2024
  • Revise Date: 24 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 09 February 2025

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