SALTMED model. Part II: Model Application

Abstract

The SALTMED model has been successfully calibrated and validated in several countries. This paper will show some exemples from Italy, Portugal and Morocco. Field experiments covered full and deficit irrigation, different water qualities: rainfed, irrigation with fresh, saline and waste water, diferente crops: Amaranth, chickpea, quinoa and sweet corn, different levels of water stresses, different soil types, different fertilizer applications and different irrigation systems. The model successfully simulated the soil moisture at different depths, the dry matter and yield under all conditions. The SALTMED model successfully simulated soil moisture, dry matter and yield of Amaranth, quinoa, chickpea and sweet corn in different countries with different climatic conditions, different soils, different irrigation water strategies and water qualities. The model was able to respond to such diferences and show diferences among treatments and even among C3 and C4 crops. This is a good indication that the model is a good tool for management and for generic application.