Evaluation of RZWQM Under Varying Irrigation Levels in Eastern Colorado

The ability to predict and manage crop growth under varying available water conditions is of vital importance to the agricultural community since water is the most important limiting factor for agricultural productivity, especially in semi–arid regions. This study evaluated an agricultural system model, the USDA–ARS Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM), for its ability to simulate the responses of corn (Zea mays L.) growth and yield to various levels of water stress. Data sets collected in 1984, 1985, and 1986 in northeastern Colorado were used for model evaluation. Three irrigation levels were imposed in 1984 and four levels in 1985 and 1986. Measurements included soil water content in 1985, leaf area index (LAI) and aboveground biomass in 1984 and 1985, and corn yield and plant height in 1984, 1985, and 1986. The RZWQM was calibrated for the lowest (driest) irrigation treatment in 1985 and then used to predict soil water and agronomic attributes for other irrigation treatments in all three years. Overall, the model responded well to irrigation treatments and weather conditions. Prediction of plant height was adequate in 1985 and 1986. Although biomass was reasonably predicted in early and late growing seasons, it was over–predicted during the middle growing season in both 1984 and 1985. Maximum LAI and plant height were over–predicted in 1984, however. Total soil water storage was well predicted in 1985, and so was evapotranspiration (ET) during the crop growing season. Yield predictions were within 1% to 35% of measured values for all the three years. Even with a low prediction of yield in 1986, the model correctly simulated the relative increase of yield with irrigation amount. Therefore, once RZWQM is calibrated for a location, it can be used as a tool to simulate relative differences in crop production under different irrigation levels and as a guide to optimize water management.