Operational precise irrigation for cotton cultivation through the coupling of meteorological and crop growth models.
Authors
Tsakmakis, IoannisKokkos, Nikolaos
Pisinaras, Vassilios
Papaevangelou, Vasiliki
Hatzigiannakis, Evangelos
Arampatzis, George
Gikas, Georgios, D.
Linker, Raphael
Zoras, Stamatis

Evagelopoulos, Vasilis
Tsihrintzis, Vassilios, A.
Battilani, Adriano
Sylaios, Georgios
Affiliation
Democritus University of ThraceSoil and Water Resources Institute,
National Technical University of Athens
Canale Emiliano Romagnolo
Issue Date
2016-11-19
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
In this paper, we tested the operational capacity of an interoperable model coupling system for the irrigation scheduling (IMCIS) at an experimental cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) field in Northern Greece. IMCIS comprises a meteorological model (TAPM), downscaled at field level, and a water-driven cultivation tool (AquaCrop), to optimize irrigation and enhance crop growth and yield. Both models were evaluated through on-site observations of meteorological variables, soil moisture levels and canopy cover progress. Based on irrigation management (deficit, precise and farmer’s practice) and method (drip and sprinkler), the field was divided into six sub-plots. Prognostic meteorological model results exhibited satisfactory agreement in most parameters affecting ETo, simulating adequately the soil water balance. Precipitation events were fairly predicted, although rainfall depths needed further adjustment. Soil water content levels computed by the crop growth model followed the trend of soil humidity measurements, while the canopy cover patterns and the seed cotton yield were well predicted, especially at the drip irrigated plots. Overall, the system exhibited robustness and good predicting ability for crop water needs, based on local evapotranspiration forecasts and crop phenological stages. The comparison of yield and irrigation levels at all sub-plots revealed that drip irrigation under IMCIS guidance could achieve the same yield levels as traditional farmer’s practice, utilizing approximately 32% less water, thus raising water productivity up to 0.96 kg/m3.Citation
Tsakmakis, I. et al (2016) 'Operational Precise Irrigation for Cotton Cultivation through the Coupling of Meteorological and Crop Growth Models', Water Resources Management, 31 (1):563 .Publisher
SpringerJournal
Water Resources ManagementDOI
10.1007/s11269-016-1548-7Additional Links
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11269-016-1548-7Type
ArticleLanguage
enISSN
09204741EISSN
15731650ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1007/s11269-016-1548-7