Sindarov et al. (2025) Application of the AquaCrop model for cotton production under water scarce arid conditions

Identification

• Journal: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-11-07
• Authors: Obidjon Sindarov, Sabirjan Isaev, Kholmurod Khayitov, P.U. Bulanbayeva, Shukhrat Rizaev, Sobir Sanayev, Sabina Zakirova, Allamurod Khojasov, Feruzbek Abdulkhaqov, Saidakhror Isashov, Ulugbek Nematov, Bakhodir Khalikov, Iroda Tadjibekova, Bakhodir Khakimov, Oftoboyim Kurbonova, Botir Khaitov
• DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2025.1714464

Research Groups

• Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers (TIIAME)-National Research University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
• Department of Water Resources and Land Management, Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University, Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan
• Samarkand Agroinnovations and Research University, Samarkhand, Uzbekistan
• Fergana State University, Fergana, Uzbekistan
• Institute of Agriculture and Agrotechnologies of Karakalpakstan, Nukus, Uzbekistan
• Andijan Institute of Agriculture and Agrotechnologies, Andijan, Uzbekistan
• Cotton Breeding, Seed Production and Agrotechnologies Research Institute, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
• Tashkent State Agrarian University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
• Karshi State Technical University, Karshi, Uzbekistan

Short Summary

This study calibrated and validated the AquaCrop model for cotton production under arid conditions in Uzbekistan, identifying an optimal irrigation regime (FC 70-70-65%) that maximized yield and water productivity with high model accuracy.

Objective

• To evaluate the reliability of the AquaCrop model for optimizing water use and improving cotton yields under semi-arid conditions in Uzbekistan.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Field experiment at the Experiment Station of the Cotton Growing Research Institute (41°22’N, 60°54′E; 572.2 m above sea level) at Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
• Temporal Scale: Three growing seasons (April to October) from 2022 to 2024.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: AquaCrop model (developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - FAO).
• Data sources: Field measurements (canopy cover via Canopeo app, above-ground biomass, cotton yield, soil moisture content via neutron moisture meter, soil physical characteristics, irrigation water volume via flow meter), climate data (temperature, precipitation).

Main Results

• The highest cotton yield was obtained under the FC 70-70-65% irrigation regime, reaching 3.553 Mg ha⁻¹ in 2022, 3.325 Mg ha⁻¹ in 2023, and 3.441 Mg ha⁻¹ in 2024.
• Simulated and measured cotton yields were consistent, with a deviation of less than 5%.
• Water productivity (WP) was also highest with the FC 70-70-65% irrigation regime, exhibiting 0.66 kg m⁻³ in 2024, 0.64 kg m⁻³ in 2023, and 0.64 kg m⁻³ in 2022.
• Deviations between simulated and measured values were generally low: cotton yield (<2.77% to 4.89%), WP (<1.6% to 4.89%), biomass (<3.48% to 5.01%), and harvest index (<1.17% to 5.17%).
• Soil moisture content (SWC) between measured and simulated values showed good correlation with coefficients of determination (R²) of 0.814, 0.799, and 0.604 for Fc 65-65-60%, Fc 70-70-65%, and Fc 75-75-70%, respectively.
• Under the optimal FC 70-70-65% irrigation schedule, WP increased by 13.15% to 24.13% compared to other irrigation regimes.

Contributions

• Identified an optimal irrigation regime (FC 70-70-65%) for cotton cultivation in arid Uzbekistan, leading to significant increases in yield (6.46% to 20.6%) and water productivity (13.15% to 24.13%).
• Demonstrated the AquaCrop model's reliability and accuracy as a tool for assessing crop water productivity, supporting yield potential, and reducing water loss in water-scarce environments.
• Contributes to the digitalization of agricultural irrigation, advancing water-saving priorities, climate resilience, and promoting more sustainable crop production practices under challenging arid conditions.

Funding

The authors declare that no financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article.

Citation

@article{Sindarov2025Application,
  author = {Sindarov, Obidjon and Isaev, Sabirjan and Khayitov, Kholmurod and Bulanbayeva, P.U. and Rizaev, Shukhrat and Sanayev, Sobir and Zakirova, Sabina and Khojasov, Allamurod and Abdulkhaqov, Feruzbek and Isashov, Saidakhror and Nematov, Ulugbek and Khalikov, Bakhodir and Tadjibekova, Iroda and Khakimov, Bakhodir and Kurbonova, Oftoboyim and Khaitov, Botir},
  title = {Application of the AquaCrop model for cotton production under water scarce arid conditions},
  journal = {Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.3389/fsufs.2025.1714464},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1714464}
}

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