Impacts of climate change on irrigation requirements and water productivity of citrus and olive crops in Egypt

Abstract

Climate change could affect the meteorological parameters and which di- rectly lead to changes in irrigation requirements (IR) and water productivity (WP) of fruit crops. The objective of the current study was to investigate the impacts of potential climate change on irrigation requirements and water productivity of citrus and olive in four governorates of Egypt (El-Bihera, Al-Dakahlia, Matruh and North of Sinai) using a CROPWAT 8.0 model in conjunction with the climate change scenarios A1FI and B1.The irrigation requirements of two crops in all future periods (2020s, 2050s and 2100s) were increased as compared to current period (1990-2019). While, the water pro- ductivity values for citrus and olive crops in all future periods (2020s, 2050s and 2100s) were decreased as compared to current period 1990-2019. The IR for citrus and olive were increased by 21.80% and 27.51% respectively. The WP values for citrus and olive were decreased by 43.21% and 17.99%, respectively. The results of this study are helpful in formulating adaptation measures to address water stress and increase yield of citrus and olive crops under climate change scenarios in Egypt.