Evaluation of AquaCrop Model under Deficit Irrigation Management of Potato New Clones in Hamedan

In this study, dry matter yield and water productivity of five clones of potato under irrigation conditions at 100, 90, 80, 70, 60 and 50% water requirement levels were evaluated by AquaCrop model. Field experiments were conducted in split plot design based on randomized complete block design with two years at Ekbatan station of Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Hamedan province. After sensitivity analysis, the results of the first year experiments were used for calibration and the results of the second year experiments were used for model validation. The results showed that this model had an average error of 10.95 and 47.34% in simulating yield and water productivity of potato, respectively. Therefore, this model was less accurate in estimating water productivity than the appropriate estimation of potato yield. Under water shortage conditions, Clone 397008-2 had the highest yield and water productivity at 80% of water requirement with 16.39 ton ha-1 and 3.41 kg m-3, respectively. Therefore, it is recommended that this clone and irrigation use 80% of the water requirement by the farmers in the region to achieve 20% water saving and maximize potato yield and water productivity.