Appreciation of Sugar cane Production Using Aqua Crop model in Aljunyed Scheme

Abstract

Founded Aljunyd project in 1960 and reached a total area of (27,500) Feddan .The specific objective is to simulate crop water productivity in Aljunyed scheme for Sugar cane crop, using Aqua Crop model. Developed by FAO, considering the different aspects such as; the influence of sowing dates, the influence of water stresses, different levels of soil fertilities , irrigation options, effective rainfalls and two rainfed scenarios. Field data experiments have been retrieve from Hagu and Nasr area (during summer season (2012-2013).. For Aqua Crop model testing, the actual measured weights of biomass and yield produced by each farmer have been compared with the model predictions of biomass and yield considering; climatic daily measurements, soil moisture content measurements and the growth stages of Sugar cane . The Aqua Crop model has shown very good predictions of yield and biomass, respectively, compared to actually measured weights of yield and biomass obtained from the two field experiments. The Aqua Crop model has been applied using 16 scenarios together with other two rainfed scenarios to study the influence of water stresses, different levels of soil fertilities, irrigation options ,different effective rainfalls and different levels of mulch on biomass and yield of Sugar cane crop. From the model applications, it has been concluded that; - Biomass and yield increased when soil fertility level increased. Biomass and yield decreased when irrigation increased. For 87% of the 16 scenarios, biomass and yield increased when actual effective rainfall increased, 75% when fertility level increased ,62% when mulch increased level and 50% when irrigation increased. AquaCrop model can be used as a planning tool or to assist in management decisions for both irrigated and rainfed agriculture , management decisions to predict the maximum crop yield and biomass by selecting the appropriate irrigation option and soil fertility level.