Thesis defense presented by Saad Cheema

Title of the Thesis: "Supplemental Irrigation through Decision Support System in the Face of Climate Change:  A sustainable Approach"

Precise supplemental irrigation has become essential because of climate-driven variability. This thesis proposes a decision support system (DSS) that integrates soil, crops, and climate data for real-time scheduling. Soil Water Characteristic Curves (SWCC) were developed for PEI soils for determining field capacity, wilting point, and available water. Stage-specific potato crop coefficients (K_c) were measured utilizing a lysimeter. The seasonal and daily crop water requirements (ET_c) were around 280 mm under PEI growing conditions. On-farm reference evapotranspiration (ET_o) measurements enhanced precision relative to regional meteorological stations. A soil-water balance model combined all inputs to trigger irrigation in real time. The research was converted into a real-time DSS web application for end users. This methodology provides a sustainable, climate-resilient foundation for precise water management.

Date/Time /Location

September 22, 2025, 1:00 pm, AVC 286C

Everyone is welcome