EVALUATING FARM IRRIGATION WATER MANAGEMENT MODELS FOR WHEAT AND CORN CROPS

Abstract

The CROPWAT, CAMISM and IRRIS scheduler irrigation water management models were compared, tested and evaluated under Egyptian conditions. The comparison parameters were ETo, irrigation water quantities and yield reduction to different levels of water stress. Wheat and corn crops were selected for examination. The results showed that there is a highly significant difference among tested models on Eto values, irrigation water quantities and the yield reduction percentage to different water stress levels for the chosen crops. IRRIS model recorded lower values of all parameters. Coming in ascending order the CAMISM then CROPWAT. CROPWAT and CAMISM model are more realistic in values of irrigation requirements than IRRIS model as both models depend on actual solar hours to account solar radiation contrariwise IRRIS accounts for max, min temperature to calculate solar radiation. CROPWAT is the only model among tested models has the availability to calculate the deficit irrigation in relation to crop yield through many options.