Extraction of Wheat Irrigation Operation Curve using Simulation-Optimization Approach

As agriculture consumes the most parts of water resources, management and control in this sector plays a significant role in water resources management. In this study, simulation-optimization approach was applied using soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) in combination with non-dominated sorting differential evolution (NSDE) algorithm to find the best operation curve for wheat irrigation in Mahabad basin. The wheat production in 2011 to 2013 was considered for SWAT calibration and validation. According to the hedging rule, a two-objective function was used to increase the crop yield and reduce the irrigation volume. The optimum results showed by reducing the annual irrigation rate from 200 mm to about 100 mm, the wheat production will be 2.114 ton/ha which is equal to the current irrigation pattern yield. This approach could maximize the economic cost by introducing the best irrigation pattern and consequently reduce the groundwater recharge and surface run-off 34% and 13%, respectively.