Strategies to Improve Cereal Production in the Terai Region (Nepal) during Dry Season: Simulations With Aquacrop

Strategies to improve cereal yield in Terai (Nepal) were developed with AquaCrop by simulating different scenarios of irrigation and fertilizer management for three dominant soil types with 30 years historical climatic data. Farmers yield increased from 25 to 115% depending on soil type, fertility and irrigation level. Considering the low availability of irrigation water and fertilizers, use of deficit irrigation with 1/4 of the net irrigation requirement (Inet) and fertilizer application below 50% of national recommended fertilizer dose (NRFD) was regarded as the most suitable strategy. For fertilizer applications above 50% of NRFD, deficit irrigation with 1/3 Inet is recommended.