Evaluation of the FAO AquaCrop Model for Subsurface Drip and Furrow Irrigated Processing Tomatoes.

Evaluation of the FAO AquaCrop Model for Subsurface Drip and Furrow Irrigated Processing Tomatoes The FAO AquaCrop model provides a simple and robust method to estimate crop yield response to water with low data requirement for input paramenters. This study evaluated the AquaCrop model for tomato yield and water use under subsurface drip and furrow irrigation systems in Davis, CA under the hot and dry Mediterranean environment. The model accurately simulated crop canopy cover, evapotranspiration, and dry matter for both irrigation systems. However, it is accurate in predicting the trend of total soil water but not the water content for individual soil layers. It is not satisfactory in simulating water stress during later growing season. Site-specific calibrated parameters are needed to improve the accuracy of the model simulation.