The evaluation of the effectiveness of the irrigation realized by three different irrigation support approaches on maize by means of simulation modelling

Abstract In the Mediterranean area Climate change (CC) is expected to modify water cycle through increases in temperature and by changing seasonal and temporal precipitation patterns, leading to a marked effect on crop soil water availability. In addition to CC, population growth and land use change have significantly increased pressure on global freshwater resources, creating a competition with agricultural systems demand. In this context, the optimization of water use efficiency in agricultural systems represents the major challenge to face the CC and food security issues. Moreover, irrigation efficiency has a direct impact on the farming communities' resilience. Irrigation efficiency can be improved through the use of irrigation support systems (eg Irrigation Advisory Services-IAS and Decision Supporting Systems-DSS) based on proximal sensors, remote sensing and simulation modelling approach of soil-plant ...