Sensitivity Analysis of AquaCrop Model Parameters for Winter Wheat under Different Meteorological Conditions Based on the EFAST Method

To analyze the global sensitivity of winter wheat parameters using the AquaCrop model on a global scale, the extended Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (EFAST) was utilized to identify parameter sensitivity differences in different regions and meteorological conditions represented by eight stations in Henan Province, including Zhengzhou, Anyang, Shangqiu, Luanchuan, Nanyang, Xuchang, Zhumadian, and Xinyang. The results showed that: (1) the sensitivity of crop parameters is little affected by meteorological conditions for biomass, and the sensitivity parameters of the eight regions were consistent; there were minimum growing degrees required for total biomass production ( stbio ), normalized water productivity ( wp ), maximum canopy cover in fraction soil cover ( mcc ), crop coefficient when the canopy was complete but prior to senescence ( kcb ), Growing degree-days (GDD)-from sowing to emergence ( eme ), and GGD-increase in canopy cover ( cgc ); (2) for canopy cover, the most sensitive parameters were mcc , cgc , soil surface covered by an individual seedling at 90% emergence ( ccs ), and other parameters were more sensitive in early growth stage of winter wheat; (3) for yield, GDD-from sowing to flowering ( flo ) was the most sensitive parameter. The results of this study will provide support for the use of the AquaCrop model to investigate crop management at the local level.