IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/agiwat/v213y2019icp298-308.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

DSSAT-CERES-maize modelling to improve irrigation and nitrogen management practices under Mediterranean conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Malik, Wafa
  • Isla, Ramon
  • Dechmi, Farida

Abstract

Maintain high agriculture production levels while reducing environmental impacts is of primordial importance in intensive irrigated areas. Adequate management of water and nitrogen are critical for a sustainable agriculture. The objectives of this work were to (i) calibrate and validate DSSAT model for maize under different nitrogen availability conditions and (ii) assess the effect of best management practices on irrigation water needs and nitrogen losses by leaching using different scenarios in an intensive irrigated area. For model calibration and validation, three field experiments were conducted with a total of 134 plots. Then, the model application was performed in three soil types in the ‘Del Reguero’ watershed (Spain) considering (i) real irrigation applied by farmers and DSSAT automatic irrigation and (ii) a recommended dose of N fertilizer (250 kg N ha−1) compared to a traditional dose of 390 kg N ha−1. Among all plots, the model simulated reasonably well grain yield with a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) lower than 708 kg ha−1 and high Willmott agreement index (d statistic) (>0.9). Very similar trends were observed for total biomass and total N uptake with a RMSE of 2018 kg ha−1 and 36.6 kg N ha−1. The prediction of residual nitrate in soil was acceptable with a RMSE of 43 kg N ha−1.Modeling results showed that adjusted irrigation would reduce (on average for different soil types) the total amount of seasonal irrigation water by 31% and the nitrate leaching by 97% without a significant reduction in grain yield. Regarding to N fertilizer scenarios, results showed that farmers can reduce the N fertilizer currently applied leading to a significant decrease in the N leached between 33 and 53% depending on soil types.

Suggested Citation

  • Malik, Wafa & Isla, Ramon & Dechmi, Farida, 2019. "DSSAT-CERES-maize modelling to improve irrigation and nitrogen management practices under Mediterranean conditions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 213(C), pages 298-308.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:213:y:2019:i:c:p:298-308
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2018.10.022
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377418316263
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.agwat.2018.10.022?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Barros, R. & Isidoro, D. & Aragüés, R., 2011. "Long-term water balances in La Violada irrigation district (Spain): I. Sequential assessment and minimization of closing errors," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 102(1), pages 35-45.
    2. Kadiyala, M.D.M. & Jones, J.W. & Mylavarapu, R.S. & Li, Y.C. & Reddy, M.D., 2015. "Identifying irrigation and nitrogen best management practices for aerobic rice–maize cropping system for semi-arid tropics using CERES-rice and maize models," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 23-32.
    3. Li, Zhuo Ting & Yang, J.Y. & Drury, C.F. & Hoogenboom, G., 2015. "Evaluation of the DSSAT-CSM for simulating yield and soil organic C and N of a long-term maize and wheat rotation experiment in the Loess Plateau of Northwestern China," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 90-104.
    4. Barros, R. & Isidoro, D. & Aragüés, R., 2011. "Long-term water balances in La Violada Irrigation District (Spain): II. Analysis of irrigation performance," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 98(10), pages 1569-1576, August.
    5. Kovacs, G. J. & Nemeth, T. & Ritchie, J. T., 1995. "Testing simulation models for the assessment of crop production and nitrate leaching in Hungary," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 49(4), pages 385-397.
    6. He, Jianqiang & Dukes, Michael D. & Hochmuth, George J. & Jones, James W. & Graham, Wendy D., 2012. "Identifying irrigation and nitrogen best management practices for sweet corn production on sandy soils using CERES-Maize model," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 61-70.
    7. Tedeschi, A. & Beltran, A. & Aragues, R., 2001. "Irrigation management and hydrosalinity balance in a semi-arid area of the middle Ebro river basin (Spain)," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 49(1), pages 31-50, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Mahboobe Ghobadi & Mahdi Gheysari & Mohammad Shayannejad & Hamze Dokoohaki, 2023. "Analyzing the Effects of Planting Date on the Uncertainty of CERES-Maize and Its Potential to Reduce Yield Gap in Arid and Mediterranean Climates," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, July.
    2. Kang, Jian & Hao, Xinmei & Zhou, Huiping & Ding, Risheng, 2021. "An integrated strategy for improving water use efficiency by understanding physiological mechanisms of crops responding to water deficit: Present and prospect," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    3. Liang, Hao & Lv, Haofeng & Batchelor, William D. & Lian, Xiaojuan & Wang, Zhengxiang & Lin, Shan & Hu, Kelin, 2020. "Simulating nitrate and DON leaching to optimize water and N management practices for greenhouse vegetable production systems," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    4. Wang, Haidong & Cheng, Minghui & Liao, Zhenqi & Guo, Jinjin & Zhang, Fucang & Fan, Junliang & Feng, Hao & Yang, Qiliang & Wu, Lifeng & Wang, Xiukang, 2023. "Performance evaluation of AquaCrop and DSSAT-SUBSTOR-Potato models in simulating potato growth, yield and water productivity under various drip fertigation regimes," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    5. Nasta, Paolo & Bonanomi, Giuliano & Šimůnek, Jirka & Romano, Nunzio, 2021. "Assessing the nitrate vulnerability of shallow aquifers under Mediterranean climate conditions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    6. Tsakmakis, I.D. & Gikas, G.D. & Sylaios, G.K., 2021. "Integration of Sentinel-derived NDVI to reduce uncertainties in the operational field monitoring of maize," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    7. Mohamadzade, Fahime & Gheysari, Mahdi & Eshghizadeh, Hamidreza & Tabatabaei, Mahsa Sadat & Hoogenboom, Gerrit, 2022. "The effect of water and nitrogen on drip tape irrigated silage maize grown under arid conditions: Experimental and simulations," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    8. Wang, Yongqiang & Huang, Donghua & Sun, Kexin & Shen, Hongzheng & Xing, Xuguang & Liu, Xiao & Ma, Xiaoyi, 2023. "Multiobjective optimization of regional irrigation and nitrogen schedules by using the CERES-Maize model with crop parameters determined from the remotely sensed leaf area index," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 286(C).
    9. Malik, Wafa & Dechmi, Farida, 2020. "Modelling agricultural nitrogen losses to enhance the environmental sustainability under Mediterranean conditions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    10. Serra-Wittling, Claire & Molle, Bruno & Cheviron, Bruno, 2019. "Plot level assessment of irrigation water savings due to the shift from sprinkler to localized irrigation systems or to the use of soil hydric status probes. Application in the French context," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 223(C), pages 1-1.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jiménez-Aguirre, M.T. & Isidoro, D., 2018. "Hydrosaline Balance in and Nitrogen Loads from an irrigation district before and after modernization," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 163-175.
    2. Kisekka, Isaya & Kandelous, Maziar M. & Sanden, Blake & Hopmans, Jan W., 2019. "Uncertainties in leaching assessment in micro-irrigated fields using water balance approach," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 213(C), pages 107-115.
    3. Merchán, D. & Casalí, J. & Del Valle de Lersundi, J. & Campo-Bescós, M.A. & Giménez, R. & Preciado, B. & Lafarga, A., 2018. "Runoff, nutrients, sediment and salt yields in an irrigated watershed in southern Navarre (Spain)," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 120-132.
    4. Sánchez-Chóliz, J. & Sarasa, C., 2013. "Análisis de los recursos hídricos de Riegos del Alto Aragón (Huesca) en la primera década del siglo XXI," Economia Agraria y Recursos Naturales, Spanish Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 13(01).
    5. Malik, Wafa & Dechmi, Farida, 2019. "DSSAT modelling for best irrigation management practices assessment under Mediterranean conditions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 27-43.
    6. Duarte, A.C. & Mateos, L., 2022. "How changes in cropping intensity affect water usage in an irrigated Mediterranean catchment," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    7. Merchán, D. & Causapé, J. & Abrahão, R. & García-Garizábal, I., 2015. "Assessment of a newly implemented irrigated area (Lerma Basin, Spain) over a 10-year period. I: Water balances and irrigation performance," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 277-287.
    8. Andrés, R. & Cuchí, J.A., 2014. "Analysis of sprinkler irrigation management in the LASESA district, Monegros (Spain)," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 95-107.
    9. Mohamadzade, Fahime & Gheysari, Mahdi & Eshghizadeh, Hamidreza & Tabatabaei, Mahsa Sadat & Hoogenboom, Gerrit, 2022. "The effect of water and nitrogen on drip tape irrigated silage maize grown under arid conditions: Experimental and simulations," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    10. Merchán, D. & Causapé, J. & Abrahão, R. & García-Garizábal, I., 2015. "Assessment of a newly implemented irrigated area (Lerma Basin, Spain) over a 10-year period. II: Salts and nitrate exported," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 288-296.
    11. Ibrikci, Hayriye & Cetin, Mahmut & Karnez, Ebru & Flügel, Wolfgang Albert & Tilkici, Burak & Bulbul, Yunus & Ryan, John, 2015. "Irrigation-induced nitrate losses assessed in a Mediterranean irrigation district," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 223-231.
    12. Wang, Haidong & Cheng, Minghui & Liao, Zhenqi & Guo, Jinjin & Zhang, Fucang & Fan, Junliang & Feng, Hao & Yang, Qiliang & Wu, Lifeng & Wang, Xiukang, 2023. "Performance evaluation of AquaCrop and DSSAT-SUBSTOR-Potato models in simulating potato growth, yield and water productivity under various drip fertigation regimes," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    13. Barros, R. & Isidoro, D. & Aragüés, R., 2011. "Long-term water balances in La Violada irrigation district (Spain): I. Sequential assessment and minimization of closing errors," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 102(1), pages 35-45.
    14. Causape, J. & Quilez, D. & Aragues, R., 2004. "Assessment of irrigation and environmental quality at the hydrological basin level: I. Irrigation quality," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 70(3), pages 195-209, December.
    15. Abrahao, R. & Causapé, J. & García-Garizábal, I. & Merchán, D., 2011. "Implementing irrigation: Salt and nitrate exported from the Lerma basin (Spain)," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 102(1), pages 105-112.
    16. Savé, R. & de Herralde, F. & Aranda, X. & Pla, E. & Pascual, D. & Funes, I. & Biel, C., 2012. "Potential changes in irrigation requirements and phenology of maize, apple trees and alfalfa under global change conditions in Fluvià watershed during XXIst century: Results from a modeling approximat," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 78-87.
    17. Fan, Yubing & McCann, Laura M., 2017. "Farmers’ Adoption of Pressure Irrigation Systems and Scientific Scheduling Practices: An Application of Multilevel Models," 2017 Annual Meeting, July 30-August 1, Chicago, Illinois 258458, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    18. Liang, Hao & Lv, Haofeng & Batchelor, William D. & Lian, Xiaojuan & Wang, Zhengxiang & Lin, Shan & Hu, Kelin, 2020. "Simulating nitrate and DON leaching to optimize water and N management practices for greenhouse vegetable production systems," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    19. Litskas, V.D. & Aschonitis, V.G. & Lekakis, E.H. & Antonopoulos, V.Z., 2014. "Effects of land use and irrigation practices on Ca, Mg, K, Na loads in rice-based agricultural systems," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 30-36.
    20. Playan, Enrique & Mateos, Luciano, 2006. "Modernization and optimization of irrigation systems to increase water productivity," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 80(1-3), pages 100-116, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:213:y:2019:i:c:p:298-308. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/agwat .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.