SIMULATION OF GROWTH AND YIELD OF BEANS CULTIVATED UNDER RAINFED CONDITIONS WITH THE AQUACROP MODEL

Agriculture developed under rainfed conditions covers the largest area in the world and in Mexico; therefore, tools such as crop simulation models are required, which operate with climate, soil, phenology and agronomic management data, allowing to guide agricultural producers with technical advice on growth, expected and potential yield of the crop for a specific agricultural area. Currently, in Mexico the use of simulation models is limited by the number of parameters required and the specific information that needs to be obtained in the field in a comprehensive and truthful manner. The objective of this research was to parameterize the AquaCrop model to simulate the yield of the pinto bean cv. Centauro grown under rainfed conditions in the state of Durango, Mexico, during the 2013 and 2014 Spring- Summer (S-S) agricultural seasons. Observed and simulated data were compared to calibrate and validate the model using information on canopy coverage, biomass production and grain yield at harvest with experimental data from semi-commercial plots located at INIFAP experiment stations and commercial plots of cooperating producers established in representative areas of Durango, Mexico. Results showed grain yield predictions of 0.18 t ha(-1) for the square root of the mean square error (RMSE), a Willmott index (d) of 1.0, a determination coefficient (R-2) of 0.94, a standard deviation (sigma) of 0.10 and a coefficient of variation (CV) of 0.11. The AquaCrop model is a viable alternative, with a previous calibration and validation, to know the expected and potential yield of the bean crop produced under rainfed conditions.