Coupled DSSAT and HYDRUS-1D Simulation of the Farmland–Crop Water Cycling Process in the Dengkouyangshui Irrigation District

Abstract

(1) Background: Effective water management in agricultural systems poses a significant challenge, particularly in the Dengkouyangshui irrigation district. Inefficiencies and insufficient detail in water usage across crop growth stages have resulted in suboptimal water cycling. Recent infrastructure improvements and technological interventions necessitate a reevaluation of water usage, especially concerning changes in irrigation and seepage dynamics. (2) Methods: This study addresses these concerns by employing an integrated modeling approach that combines the DSSAT with the HYDRUS-1D soil hydrology model to simulate complex interactions among soil, crop growth, and irrigation practices within the district. Observational data were used to calibrate and validate the integrated model, including soil moisture, LAI, and crop yields from the 2022 and 2023 agricultural seasons. (3) Results: The simulation results strongly align with the empirical data, highlighting the ability of the model to capture the intricate dynamics of soil–water–atmosphere–plant interactions. (4) Conclusions: The soil’s retention and moisture-holding characteristics exhibited resilience during periods without water supplementation, with measurable declines in soil moisture at various depths, indicating the soil’s capacity to support crops in water-limited conditions. This study delineates water consumption by maize crops throughout their growth cycle, providing insights into evapotranspiration partitioning and quantifying seepage losses. An in-depth analysis of water balances at different growth stages informs irrigation strategies, suggesting optimal volumes to enhance efficiency during critical crop development phases. This integrative modeling approach is valuable for providing actionable data to optimize the water cycling process and improve agricultural sustainability in the Dengkouyangshui irrigation district.