Modelling of Water Use Efficiency Using CropWat and AquaCrop : Case of Potato in Semi-Arid Region

In Algeria, vegetable crops are dependent on irrigation. In this context, the present study is oriented towards the efficient management of agricultural water that contributes to the improvement of crop production. The approach is based on the calculation of the water requirements of the potato in order to control the efficiency of the water supply in relation to the crop water requirements. This efficiency of use is imperative for a better yield and a healthy agricultural environment. In this study, we used two agronomic models CropWat (v8.0) and AquaCrop (v6.1), which were developed by FAO, to evaluate the water use efficiency (WUE) in a semi-arid climate (Wilaya of Tiaret) over a 31-year period (1990-2021). And this, by estimating the irrigation water requirements (IWR) and crop water requirements (CWR). The results obtained showed that there is a very close relationship between the estimates produced by the two models CropWat and AquaCrop. These estimates are for IWR, CWR and WUE, which are in the order of 395.91 mm, 517.24 mm, 6.47 kg m-3 using CropWat and 385.46 mm; 507.38 mm, 6.37 kg m-3 using AquaCrop. Crop growth simulation models have become important tools for evaluating and developing deficit irrigation strategies, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.