Articles
Parameterization of the AquaCrop model for full drip-irrigated young almond trees
Article number
1425_4
Pages
25 – 32
Language
English
Abstract
In recent years, the extension of almond plantations has been growing fast in the Mediterranean area under arid and semi-arid conditions.
Irrigation of this crop might be critically affected by water shortages driven by the water authorities.
Technicians and growers frequently demand operational tools to assist and achieve more precise irrigation management of orchards under limited irrigation water resources.
The AquaCrop model may be used to determine crop water requirements and optimize the irrigation schedule once it is properly parameterized.
The aim of this work was to evaluate and calibrate the AquaCrop tool using a field experiment data set gathered during three consecutive growing seasons in a subsurface drip-irrigated young almond orchard cultivated in southeast Spain.
Throughout each growing season, the growth, development and water requirements of the almond tree (CWR) were monitored.
A tower equipped with a set of thermal infrared broad-band radiometers measuring both soil and canopy temperatures was installed to estimate the crop evapotranspiration (ETa) and its partition into tree transpiration (Tc) and soil evaporation (Es) using a simplified version of the two-source energy balance (STSEB) approach.
The model performance was assessed through several statistical indicators applied to the green canopy cover (CC), ETa, Tc and Es seasonal evolutions.
Overall, CC and Tc evolution were adequately simulated by the model, calibrating the conservative parameters of canopy growth (CGC) and decline (CDC) coefficients as 3.8 and 3.1% day‑1, respectively; and the basal crop coefficient when canopy is complete (Kcb,x) as 0.85. Unlike to Tc, ETa, was overestimated by AquaCrop model during the three experimental seasons with differences between 110 and 240 mm upper than those determined by the STSEB approach during the 3-year study.
These preliminary results are promising, suggesting that the AquaCrop model could be a suitable tool for more efficient water use in almond orchards.
Irrigation of this crop might be critically affected by water shortages driven by the water authorities.
Technicians and growers frequently demand operational tools to assist and achieve more precise irrigation management of orchards under limited irrigation water resources.
The AquaCrop model may be used to determine crop water requirements and optimize the irrigation schedule once it is properly parameterized.
The aim of this work was to evaluate and calibrate the AquaCrop tool using a field experiment data set gathered during three consecutive growing seasons in a subsurface drip-irrigated young almond orchard cultivated in southeast Spain.
Throughout each growing season, the growth, development and water requirements of the almond tree (CWR) were monitored.
A tower equipped with a set of thermal infrared broad-band radiometers measuring both soil and canopy temperatures was installed to estimate the crop evapotranspiration (ETa) and its partition into tree transpiration (Tc) and soil evaporation (Es) using a simplified version of the two-source energy balance (STSEB) approach.
The model performance was assessed through several statistical indicators applied to the green canopy cover (CC), ETa, Tc and Es seasonal evolutions.
Overall, CC and Tc evolution were adequately simulated by the model, calibrating the conservative parameters of canopy growth (CGC) and decline (CDC) coefficients as 3.8 and 3.1% day‑1, respectively; and the basal crop coefficient when canopy is complete (Kcb,x) as 0.85. Unlike to Tc, ETa, was overestimated by AquaCrop model during the three experimental seasons with differences between 110 and 240 mm upper than those determined by the STSEB approach during the 3-year study.
These preliminary results are promising, suggesting that the AquaCrop model could be a suitable tool for more efficient water use in almond orchards.
Authors
F. Montoya, J.M. Sánchez, J. González-Piqueras, R. López-Urrea
Keywords
tree canopy cover, soil water content, crop evapotranspiration, simplified two-source energy balance, calibration model, statistical indicators
Groups involved
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Working Group Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management
- Working Group Modelling Plant Growth, Environmental Control, Greenhouse Environment
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
Online Articles (61)