Adapting Crop-Yield Models to Irrigation Scheduling in Nigeria

Abstract

Simulation models are being increasingly used to solve agricultural and environmental management problems associated with agricultural crop production, such as irrigation scheduling and design, design of tile drainage systems, pollution of surface and ground water resources by agricultural practice, and economic analysis of agricultural production. Crop-yield models have proliferated in the last decade with capabilities from simple regression models to complex physiological models with varying degrees of sophistication of the solution of the soil-water flow problem. The choice of any model depends on the nature of the problem, availability of input data, and resources. Calibration, testing, and modification of existing models or development of a new model may be necessary in a specific case. This article first reviews some of the major crop-yield models, discusses their capability and limitations for use in irrigation scheduling in a developing country such as Nigeria, and suggests further areas of research to increase their adaptation for irrigation scheduling in developing countries. It also lists some of the advantages derivable from the use of such models for irrigation scheduling and management.

Keywords:

• Crop-yield models
• Irrigation scheduling
• Adaptation
• Developing countries
• Nigeria

Acknowledgment

This study was undertaken while the author was on British Council-sponsored linkage between University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, and Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.