Chibarabada, T. P. ， Modi, A. T. ， Mabhaudhi, T.
2020-02-15 AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY 2020 281(卷), null(期), (null页)
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important grain legume in the arid and semi-arid tropics. AquaCrop model (V5.0) was calibrated and tested for its ability to simulate canopy cover (CC), biomass, yield and evapotranspiration (ET) of groundnut under water deficit conditions. Controlled environment and field trials were conducted during the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons across three environments in South Africa (Ukulinga, Fountainhill and Umbumbulu). The model was calibrated using data from a controlled environment and field trials from Ukulinga under optimum irrigation, deficit irrigation and rainfed conditions for 2015/16 summer season. The model was tested using data collected from Fountainhill and Umbumbulu during 2016/17. Model calibration showed that AquaCrop simulated CC and cumulative biomass well. The model overestimated ET by 21 - 38%. The model performed well in simulating CC and cumulative biomass during testing at Fountainhill and Umbumbulu. Overall the model showed potential for simulating yield and ET of groundnut under water deficit conditions. There is a need to further test the model under different soils and climates.