Simulating Improved Field Management for Sugarcane using AquaCrop Model to Respond Water Scarcity

Abstract

Sugar demand in Indonesia is still increasing although its productivity remains low due to several constraints. Water scarcity also plays significant role on decreasing sugarcane production in Indonesia. Improved methods are strongly required to be applied by farmers as climate-smart strategies, for instance drip irrigation and organic mulching. AquaCrop is a modelling software which useful to simulate water balance and crop yield in corresponding to certain field managements. This study aimed to compare conventional methods i.e. rainfed (Scenario 1) and furrow irrigation (Scenario 2) combined by no mulching application to improved methods i.e. drip irrigation (Scenario 3) combined by organic mulching. Results shows that irrigation water requirement of drip irrigation are lower than furrow irrigation. Both evaporation and runoff of improved method are also considerably higher than other scenarios. Rainfed and furrow irrigation display similar water content by soil depth that lower than improved method. Crop yield on drip irrigation was 8% higher than furrow irrigation. Rainfed sugarcane presents lowest crop yield due to water stress. Improved method has 12-20% higher water productivity than conventional methods. Hence, implementation of drip irrigation and organic mulching can increase crop productivity as well as reduce water requirement in order to respond climate change.