The AquaCrop model

Publication date: 06-02-2026
Extent: 30 pages

Contributions by: Dirk Raes, KU Leuven University, Belgium; Elias Fereres, IASCSIC and University of Cordoba, Spain; Theodore C. Hsiao and Pasquale Steduto, University of California, USA; Gabriëlle De Lannoy, KU Leuven University, Belgium; Eline Vanuytrecht, European Environment Agency, Denmark; Lee Heng, International Atomic Energy Agency, Austria; Margarita Garcia Vila, IAS-CSIC, Spain; Joost Wellens, Université de Liège, Belgium; Patricia Mejias Moreno and Maher Salman, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy

Chapter synopsis:

FAO (the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) launched in 2009 the dynamic crop growth model “AquaCrop” to predict yield response to water of herbaceous crops. After a brief description of the calculation scheme and the input requirements, the chapter discusses the parametrization of AquaCrop for crops and the simulation of the effect of climate change. In 2022 the model was expanded to simulate perennial herbaceous forage crops and scaled up for regional applications.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2025.0155.20