A holistic generic integrated approach for irrigation, crop and field management: 2. The SALTMED model validation using field data of five growing seasons from Egypt and Syria

Following its successful calibration, the SALTMED model was subjected to testing against field data of a portion of 2002 and all of the 2001 and 2000 growing seasons in both Egypt and Syria. The model proved its ability to handle several hydrodynamic processes acting at the same time. Using data of five complete growing seasons from Syria and Egypt, the model successfully predicted the impact of salinity on yield, water uptake, soil moisture and salinity distribution. The results obtained from the observed and simulated data indicate that the Floradade variety of tomato is salt tolerant and suitable to grow in the Mediterranean region. The results indicated that a 7 dS/m irrigation water only reduced the yield by 50%.