An improved WHCrop-Humid model for simulating crop growth in seasonally arid, shallow groundwater regions of Southwest China

【Objective】Global population growth and increasing water scarcity pose significant challenges to food security, particularly in arid regions that rely on groundwater for irrigation. Crop models offer a valuable tool to understand crop-environment interactions, optimize water use and support agricult...

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Main Authors: XING Jiacheng, HE Liuyue, XUE Jingyuan, LI Jun
Format: Article
Language:zho
Published: Science Press 2025-08-01
Series:Guan'gai paishui xuebao
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Online Access:https://www.ggpsxb.com/jgpxxben/ch/reader/view_abstract.aspx?file_no=20250803&flag=1
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author XING Jiacheng
HE Liuyue
XUE Jingyuan
LI Jun
author_facet XING Jiacheng
HE Liuyue
XUE Jingyuan
LI Jun
author_sort XING Jiacheng
collection DOAJ
description 【Objective】Global population growth and increasing water scarcity pose significant challenges to food security, particularly in arid regions that rely on groundwater for irrigation. Crop models offer a valuable tool to understand crop-environment interactions, optimize water use and support agricultural decision-making. This study proposes an improved WHCrop-Humid model to simulate water use and yield of crops in regions characterized by shallow groundwater and seasonal aridity in Southwest China.【Method】The model was improved by integrating modules for water exchange between vadose zone and groundwater, surface runoff, and root development. These additions improved the representation of the influence of groundwater, surface water and environmental changes (light, temperature, and soil moisture) on crop growth. The model was calibrated and validated using maize growth data measured from 2005 to 2007 at three experimental stations in Yanting, Sichuan Province.【Result】 The improved WHCrop-Humid model accurately simulated evapotranspiration and maize yield. The determination coefficient (R2) of the model for simulating the leaf area index (LAI) was 0.908, with its associated normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) and Willmott’s index of agreement (WIA) being 0.117 and 0.974, respectively. The statistical metrics of the model for simulating cumulative evapotranspiration were R2=0.986, NRMSE=0.087, and WIA=0.988, while for yield simulation, these metrics were R2=0.984, NRMSE=0.434 and WIA=0.997. 【Conclusion】The improved WHCrop-Humid model is effective for simulating crop growth and water dynamics in shallow groundwater and seasonally dry regions. It provides a solid foundation for improving water productivity, advancing precision agriculture, and supporting sustainable water management in southwest China and similar agro-ecological zones.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1672-3317
language zho
publishDate 2025-08-01
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series Guan'gai paishui xuebao
spelling doaj-art-8027d8a7458d4561a27383edec0b04ef2025-08-20T03:47:16ZzhoScience PressGuan'gai paishui xuebao1672-33172025-08-01448203210.13522/j.cnki.ggps.2024269An improved WHCrop-Humid model for simulating crop growth in seasonally arid, shallow groundwater regions of Southwest ChinaXING Jiacheng0HE Liuyue1XUE Jingyuan2LI Jun31. Sichuan University, Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, Chengdu 610207, China2. Zhejiang University, Ocean College, Zhoushan 316021, China; 3. Donghai Laboratory, Zhoushan 316100, China1. Sichuan University, Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, Chengdu 610207, China4. Sichuan University, College of Water Resources & Hydropower, Chengdu 610207, China【Objective】Global population growth and increasing water scarcity pose significant challenges to food security, particularly in arid regions that rely on groundwater for irrigation. Crop models offer a valuable tool to understand crop-environment interactions, optimize water use and support agricultural decision-making. This study proposes an improved WHCrop-Humid model to simulate water use and yield of crops in regions characterized by shallow groundwater and seasonal aridity in Southwest China.【Method】The model was improved by integrating modules for water exchange between vadose zone and groundwater, surface runoff, and root development. These additions improved the representation of the influence of groundwater, surface water and environmental changes (light, temperature, and soil moisture) on crop growth. The model was calibrated and validated using maize growth data measured from 2005 to 2007 at three experimental stations in Yanting, Sichuan Province.【Result】 The improved WHCrop-Humid model accurately simulated evapotranspiration and maize yield. The determination coefficient (R2) of the model for simulating the leaf area index (LAI) was 0.908, with its associated normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) and Willmott’s index of agreement (WIA) being 0.117 and 0.974, respectively. The statistical metrics of the model for simulating cumulative evapotranspiration were R2=0.986, NRMSE=0.087, and WIA=0.988, while for yield simulation, these metrics were R2=0.984, NRMSE=0.434 and WIA=0.997. 【Conclusion】The improved WHCrop-Humid model is effective for simulating crop growth and water dynamics in shallow groundwater and seasonally dry regions. It provides a solid foundation for improving water productivity, advancing precision agriculture, and supporting sustainable water management in southwest China and similar agro-ecological zones.https://www.ggpsxb.com/jgpxxben/ch/reader/view_abstract.aspx?file_no=20250803&flag=1model; groundwater; southwest china; whcrop-humid; seasonal arid; water productivity
spellingShingle XING Jiacheng
HE Liuyue
XUE Jingyuan
LI Jun
An improved WHCrop-Humid model for simulating crop growth in seasonally arid, shallow groundwater regions of Southwest China
Guan'gai paishui xuebao
model; groundwater; southwest china; whcrop-humid; seasonal arid; water productivity
title An improved WHCrop-Humid model for simulating crop growth in seasonally arid, shallow groundwater regions of Southwest China
title_full An improved WHCrop-Humid model for simulating crop growth in seasonally arid, shallow groundwater regions of Southwest China
title_fullStr An improved WHCrop-Humid model for simulating crop growth in seasonally arid, shallow groundwater regions of Southwest China
title_full_unstemmed An improved WHCrop-Humid model for simulating crop growth in seasonally arid, shallow groundwater regions of Southwest China
title_short An improved WHCrop-Humid model for simulating crop growth in seasonally arid, shallow groundwater regions of Southwest China
title_sort improved whcrop humid model for simulating crop growth in seasonally arid shallow groundwater regions of southwest china
topic model; groundwater; southwest china; whcrop-humid; seasonal arid; water productivity
url https://www.ggpsxb.com/jgpxxben/ch/reader/view_abstract.aspx?file_no=20250803&flag=1
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