Modelling water stress response in sugarcane: validation and application of the APSIM-Sugarcane model

he APSIM-Sugarcane model is being used increasingly in the Australian sugar industry to benchmark water use efficiency and productivity. The model has potential to contribute substantially to optimising water use in supplementary irrigation regions. While simulation capability of APSIM-Sugarcane has been demonstrated for a large number of conditions in various countries, there has been little detailed validation of the processes involved in crop response to water stress. This paper compares measured and simulated processes such as canopy development, root water extraction, dry matter and sucrose accumulation, in order to demonstrate simulation capability of response to water stress. The model is then used with long-term climate records to determine optimum timing of limited irrigation in Bundaberg