In order to verify if salinity stress may be simulated as a water stre
ss, two simulation models, widely applied in water-limited conditions,
have been here described and used under saline conditions. The first
one uses an empirical approach, the second model (CERES-Maize) is a fu
nctional crop model, here conveniently modified. For both models input
data set was collected from corn cropped in 30 drainage lysimeters, d
ivided into two soil texture types (loam and clay) and three water qua
lities (EC=0.9 dS m(-1) as a control. EC=2.3 and 3.6 dS m(-1)). Approp
riate statistical analysis (linear regression between simulated and ob
served data, ''lack of fit'' test) showed that both models provide a q
uite good performance in estimating yield reduction in a saline enviro
nment as a water stress. No significant, differences between the two t
ypes of soil texture were noticed. A part from grain yield, the functi
onal approach allowed for simulating evolution over time of LAI. bioma
ss, and evapotranspiration on a daily scale. The agreement was very go
od for biomass: as regards WI, simulated values didn't match maximum v
alues: for saline treatments the fit in daily ET was acceptable. Direc
tions for simulating maize growth under saline conditions are finally
suggested.