Water management and use of crop simulation model (AquaCrop)

The purpose of this two-week regional training course is to provide knowledge and training on the use of nuclear and conventional techniques to determine soil water content and the use of crop simulation model (AquaCrop).

This training course covers all aspects of the technique from planning and investigation to presenting the results in a report. The training course will consist of the following lectures, practical sessions and field visit:

1. Presentations and practical sessions on the use of neutron probe (installation and calibration) in soil-water-plant studies and assessment. The training will also focus on the data management and calculation regarding water use and water use efficiency. The use of the neutron probe for irrigation scheduling will be targeted.
2. Presentations on the estimations of crop coefficient (Kc) from crop growth and development of weather parameters to assess the potential evapotranspiration.
3. Presentations on the suitable devices to measure soil water potential for irrigation scheduling.
4. Theory of the AquaCrop model and practical sessions on the use of the model with case studies for all the CPs.