Bouswir et al. (2026) Irrigation optimization and assessment of deep percolation losses for winter wheat in a semi-arid using the SIMDualKc model

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Identification

• Journal: Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)
• Year: 2026
• Authors: Zaineb Bouswir, Salah Er-Raki, Saïd KHABBA, Jamal Ezzahar, Abdelghani Chehbouni
• DOI: 10.1051/bioconf/202621101024/pdf

Research Groups

• Agricultural research entities and departments focused on the Haouz plain (Morocco).

Short Summary

This study utilizes the SIMDualKc model to quantify deep percolation losses in Moroccan wheat cultivation and demonstrates that optimized irrigation scheduling can reduce these losses by 88%. The research highlights a significant opportunity to improve water use efficiency by reducing irrigation volumes by 45% compared to traditional farmer practices.

Objective

• To quantify water losses due to deep percolation (DP) under different irrigation regimes (stressed vs. non-stressed) and to optimize irrigation strategies for wheat in arid and semi-arid environments.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Two experimental plots located in the Haouz plain, Morocco.
• Temporal Scale: Two growing seasons (2016–2017 and 2017–2018).

Methodology and Data

• Models used: SIMDualKc (a soil water balance model using the dual crop coefficient approach).
• Data sources: Field experimental data from wheat plots subjected to contrasting irrigation regimes (non-stressed and water-stressed conditions).

Main Results

• Traditional Losses: Farmer-managed irrigation led to substantial deep percolation losses ranging from 203 to 435 mm in non-stressed plots and 203 to 307 mm in stressed plots.
• Optimization Impact: Simulated optimized irrigation schedules achieved an average reduction of 88% in deep percolation losses across both regimes.
• Water Savings: Optimized scheduling allowed for an average reduction of 45% in total irrigation volume compared to traditional practices while maintaining an effective water supply for the crops.

Contributions

• The study provides a quantitative assessment of the inefficiency of traditional irrigation practices in semi-arid regions regarding deep percolation.
• It demonstrates the high performance of the SIMDualKc model as a decision-support tool for sustainable water management, proving that significant water savings are possible without compromising crop needs.

Funding

• Not specified in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Bouswir2026Irrigation,
  author = {Bouswir, Zaineb and Er-Raki, Salah and KHABBA, Saïd and Ezzahar, Jamal and Chehbouni, Abdelghani},
  title = {Irrigation optimization and assessment of deep percolation losses for winter wheat in a semi-arid using the SIMDualKc model},
  journal = {Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1051/bioconf/202621101024/pdf},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/202621101024/pdf}
}

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