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Abstract
Georgia is the largest producer of pecan, (Carya illinoinensis) in the southeastern USA and accounts for one-third of the nation’s pecan production. The trends in rainfall patterns, temperature, and CO2 concentration have been changing from year to year. HYDRUS 1D, a numerical model, was used to simulate the water movement through different soil layers to optimize irrigation scheduling. The HYDRUS model was calibrated for the year 2020 using soil moisture measurements which were used to validate the model for 2021. Statistical results suggested that the model was well-calibrated and validated to perform prediction scenarios. Using calibrated hydraulic parameters, three prediction scenarios (P1, P2, and P3) were performed to evaluate the soil storage. The irrigation amount was the same in P1 and P2 and doubled the irrigation amount for P3. It was found that P1 had the maximum soil water storage and less water loss through drainage, Thus, of all three scenarios, P1 is most likely a better strategy to maximize soil water content.