Simulation of the Effect of Irrigation Management on Yield, Biomass and Water Use Efficiency of Canola (Brassica napus L.) Using AquaCrop Model

The aims of this study is evaluate AquaCrop in simulating rapeseed yield, biomass and water use efficiency under different irrigation amounts (E1, E2, E3 and E4, indicating water supply of 50, 75, 100 and 125 mm from the evaporation pan, respectivly) was performed in three cropping years (Y1, Y2 and Y3 representing the first, second and third years, respectively). In order to calibrate this model, the data collected from the first year used for calibration and data for the second and third year were used for validation. The results showed that AquaCrop had an overestimated error (MBE< 0) to simulate all three parameters studied. The accuracy of AquaCrop was excellent for simulating yield and biomass (NRMSE <0.1) and good for water use efficiency (NRMSE <0.2). The mean differences between simulated and observed yield, biomass and water use efficiency water were 0.19 t.ha-1, 0.78 t.ha-1 and 0.05 kg.m-3, respectively. Based on the results, use of AquaCrop to simulate rapeseed yield, biomass and water use efficiency is recommended.