Modeling soil water reserves and biomass in a semiarid, drip irrigated artichoke plot using PILOTE

Abstract

Modeling is one of the available tools to manage irrigation and to forecast crop yields. The purpose of this study was to adapt, calibrate, and validate the PILOTE model on globe artichokes (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L.) under drip irrigation in the Lower Cheliff Plain (Algeria) in two seasons (2011/2012 and 2012/2013) and to use it to predict soil water reserves and total biomass in other seasons (2006/2007, 2009/2010, and 2010/2011). The model uses daily climate data, soil characteristics, and plant data to simulate the leaf area index, total biomass, and soil water reserves during the crop growth cycle. Our results revealed a strong correlation between model outputs and observed data (leaf area index, soil water reserves, and plant biomass) in the calibration and validation years (coefficient of efficiency >0.90 and root mean square error <9.40), confirming the model's ability to well predict biomass, including that of globe artichokes, and dry matter in a semiarid climate. The model was also run to predict total biomass under different climatic conditions with total rainfall ranging from 160 to 383 mm (6 to 15 in). The results suggest that total rainfall amount plays a major role in horticultural production even if irrigation is applied. We can conclude also that the PILOTE model can be recommended for use in this type of climate for the management of irrigation.