Consumptive water use and crop coefficients of irrigated sunflower

In semi-arid environments, the use of irrigation is necessary for sunflower production to reach its maximum potential. The aim of this study was to quantify the consumptive water use and crop coefficients of irrigated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) without soil water limitations during two growing seasons. The experimental work was conducted in the lysimeter facilities located in Albacete (Central Spain). A weighing lysimeter with an overall resolution of 250 g was used to measure the daily sunflower evapotranspiration throughout the growing season under sprinkler irrigation. The lysimeter container was 2.3 m × 2.7 m × 1.7 m deep, with an approximate total weight of 14.5 Mg. Daily ET _c values were calculated as the difference between lysimeter mass losses and lysimeter mass gains divided by the lysimeter area. In the lysimeter, sprinkler irrigation was applied to replace cumulative ET _c, thus maintaining non-limiting soil water conditions. Seasonal lysimeter ET _c was 619 mm in 2009 and 576 mm in 2011. The higher ET _c value in 2009 was due to earlier planting and a longer growing season with the maximum cover coinciding with the maximum ET _o period. For the two study years, maximum average K _c values reached values of approximately 1.10 and 1.20, respectively, during mid-season stage and coincided with maximum ground cover values of 75 and 88 %, respectively. The dual crop coefficient approach was used to separate crop transpiration (K _cb) from soil evaporation (K _e). As the crop canopy expanded, K _cb values increased while the K _e values decreased. The seasonal evaporation component was estimated to be about 25 % of ET _c. Linear relationships were found between the lysimeter K _cb and the canopy ground cover (f _c) for the each season, and a single relationship that related K _cb to growing degree-days was established allowing extrapolation of our results to other environments.     

Evapotranspiration losses for pepper under plastic mulch and shallow water table conditions

Use of literature crop coefficient (K _c) values for quantifying evapotranspiration (ET_c) under non-standard conditions such as plastic mulch, shallow water table, and sub-tropical conditions can lead to inaccurate ET_c estimates. A 5-year experiment was conducted for fall crop growing seasons in south Florida to quantity bi-weekly ET_c and K _c for bell pepper grown under shallow water table and plastic mulch environments using large drainage lysimeters. The ET_c values varied from 205 to 320 mm with a seasonal average of 267 mm. Average K _c values for bell pepper for development, mid-season, and late stages were 1.05, 1.21, and 1.28, respectively. Higher than literature initial K _c values were due to rainfall and use of sub-irrigation system to maintain artificially high water table which results in high soil moisture in the bare soil area—such high moisture results in high evaporation. The K _c values from this study were statistically higher than literature values. Use of literature K _c values resulted in underestimating ET_c by 27–37%. The K _c values would provide improved estimates of sub-irrigated pepper ET_c in subtropical Florida and elsewhere with similar environment.     

Wheat basal crop coefficients determined by normalized difference vegetation index

Crop coefficient methodologies are widely used to estimate actual crop evapotranspiration (ET_c) for determining irrigation scheduling. Generalized crop coefficient curves presented in the literature are limited to providing estimates of ET_c for “optimum” crop condition within a field, which often need to be modified for local conditions and cultural practices, as well as adjusted for the variations from normal crop and weather conditions that might occur during a given growing season. Consequently, the uncertainties associated with generalized crop coefficients can result in ET_c estimates that are significantly different from actual ET_c, which could ultimately contribute to poor irrigation water management. Some important crop properties such as percent cover and leaf area index have been modeled with various vegetation indices (VIs), providing a means to quantify real-time crop variations from remotely-sensed VI observations. Limited research has also shown that VIs can be used to estimate the basal crop coefficient (K _cb) for several crops, including corn and cotton. The objective of this research was to develop a model for estimating K _cb values from observations of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) for spring wheat. The K _cb data were derived from back-calculations of the FAO-56 dual crop coefficient procedures using field data obtained during two wheat experiments conducted during 1993–1994 and 1995–1996 in Maricopa, Arizona. The performance of the K _cb model for estimating ET_c was evaluated using data from a third wheat experiment in 1996–1997, also in Maricopa, Arizona. The K _cb was modeled as a function of a normalized quantity for NDVI, using a third-order polynomial regression relationship (r ²=0.90, n=232). The estimated seasonal ET_c for the 1996–1997 season agreed to within −33 mm (−5%) to 18 mm (3%) of measured ET_c. However, the mean absolute percent difference between the estimated and measured daily ET_c varied from 9% to 10%, which was similar to the 10% variation for K _cb that was unexplained by NDVI. The preliminary evaluation suggests that remotely-sensed NDVI observations could provide real-time K _cb estimates for determining the actual wheat ET_c during the growing season.     

Water use and the development of seasonal crop coefficients for Superior Seedless grapevines trained to an open-gable trellis system

Water consumption of table grapevines (Vitis vinifera cv. Superior Seedless) trained to a large open-canopy gable system was measured during six growing seasons (1999, 2001–2005) using 12 drainage lysimeters. The lysimeters (1.3 m³ each) were installed as part of a one-hectare vineyard in a semi-arid region in southern Israel. Water consumption of the lysimeter-grown vines (ET_c) was used as the basis for the calculation of irrigation applications in the vineyard. Three irrigation treatments, 80% (high), 60% (medium) and 40% (low) of ET_c of the lysimeter-grown vines, were applied in the vineyard. Reference evapotranspiration (ET_o) was calculated from regional meteorological data according to the Penman–Monteith equation. Seasonal curves for the crop coefficient (K _c) were calculated as K _c = ET_c/ET_o. Maximum ET_c values in different seasons ranged from 7.26 to 8.59 mm day⁻¹ and seasonal ET_c (from DOY 91 through DOY 304) ranged from 1,087 to 1,348 mm over the six growing seasons. Leaf area index (LAI) was measured monthly using the SunScan Canopy Analysis System. Maximum LAI ranged from 4.2 to 6.2 m² m⁻² for the 2002–2005 seasons. A second-order polynomial curve relating K _c to LAI (R² = 0.907, P < 0.0001) is proposed as the basis for efficient irrigation management. The effects of the irrigation treatments on canopy growth and yield are presented. The high ET_c and K _c values that were observed are explained by the wide canopy layout that characterize the large open-gable trellis system.     

Crop coefficients for drip-irrigated processing tomato

Drip irrigation of processing tomato is increasing in the San Joaquin Valley of California (USA), a major tomato production area. Efficient management of these irrigation systems requires reasonable estimates of crop evapotranspiration (ET_c) between irrigations. A common approach for estimating ET_c is to multiply a reference crop evapotranspiration (ET_o) by a crop coefficient. However, a review of literature revealed mid-season crop coefficients for processing tomato to range from 1.05 to 1.25. Because of this variability, uncertainty exists in the crop coefficients appropriate for drip irrigation in the San Joaquin Valley. Thus, a study was initiated to determine the ET_c of processing tomato for drip irrigation in commercial fields and then calculate crop coefficients from the ET_c and ET_o data for the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. Crop ET_c was determined at five locations using the Bowen Ratio Energy Balance Method (BREB). Canopy coverage was also measured using a digital infrared camera. Average crop coefficients ranged from about 0.19 at 10% canopy coverage to 1.08 for canopy coverage exceeding about 90%. A second order regression equation reasonably described a relationship between crop coefficient and canopy coverage. Generic curves describing crop coefficient versus time of year were developed for various planting times.     

Measurement and estimation of plastic greenhouse reference evapotranspiration in a Mediterranean climate

The standard FAO methodology for the determination of crop water requirements uses the product of reference evapotranspiration (ET_o) and crop coefficient values. This methodology can be also applied to soil-grown plastic greenhouse crops, which occupy extended areas in the Mediterranean basin, but there are few data assessing methodologies for estimating ET_o in plastic greenhouses. Free-drainage lysimeters were used between 1993 and 2004 to measure ET_o inside a plastic greenhouse with a perennial grass in Almería, south-eastern Spain. Mean daily measured greenhouse ET_o ranged from values slightly less than 1 mm day⁻¹ during winter to values of approximately 4 mm day⁻¹ during summer in July. When the greenhouse surface was whitened from March to September (a common practice to control temperature), measured ET_o was reduced by an average of 21.4%. Different methodologies to calculate ET_o were checked against the measurements in the greenhouse without and with whitening. The methods that performed best in terms of accuracy and statistics were: FAO56 Penman–Monteith with a fixed aerodynamic resistance of 150 s m⁻¹, FAO24 Pan Evaporation with a constant Kp of 0.79, a locally-calibrated radiation method and Hargreaves. Given the data requirements of the different methods, the Hargreaves and the radiation methods are recommended for the calculation of greenhouse ET_o because of their simplicity.     

Evapotranspiration and responses to irrigation of broccoli

In cold, semi-arid areas, the options for crop diversification are limited by climate and by the water supply available. Growing irrigated crops outside the main season is not easy, because of climatic and market constraints. We carried out an experiment in Albacete, Central Spain, to measure the water use (evapotranspiration, ET) of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck) planted in late summer and harvested at the end of fall. A weighing lysimeter was used to measure the seasonal ET under sprinkler irrigation. Consumptive use reached 359 mm for a period of 109 days after transplanting. The crop coefficient (K_c) for broccoli was obtained and compared to the standard recommendations for normal planting dates. Dual crop coefficient computations of the lysimeter ET data indicated that evaporation represented 31% of seasonal ET. An analysis of the variation in daily K_c values at a time of full cover suggested that the use of a grass lysimeter as a reference ET (ET_o) was superior to using the ASCE Penman-Monteith (ASCE PM) equation at hourly time steps, which in turn caused less variability in K_c than when using the FAO-56 Penman-Monteith (FAO-56 PM) equation at daily time steps for the ET_o calculation. An additional experiment aimed at evaluating the yield response to applied irrigation water by the drip method (seven treatments, from 59 to 108% of ET_c) generated a production function that gave maximum yields of near 12 t ha⁻¹ at an irrigation level of 345 mm, and a water use efficiency of 3.37 kg m⁻³. It is concluded that growing broccoli in the fall season is a viable alternative for crop diversification, as the lower yields obtained here may be more than compensated for by the higher produce prices in autumn, at a time of the year where irrigation water demand for other crops is very low.     

Temporal and spatial variations of evapotranspiration for spring wheat in the Shiyang river basin in northwest China

The methods for estimating temporal and spatial variation of crop evapotranspiration are useful tools for irrigation scheduling and regional water allocation. The purpose of this study was to develop a method for mapping spatial distribution of crop evapotranspiration and analyze the temporal and spatial variation of spring wheat evapotranspiration in the Shiyang river basin in Northwest China in the last 50 years. DEM-based methods were employed to estimate the spatial distribution of spring wheat evapotranspiration (ET_c). Reference crop evapotranspiration (ET₀) was calculated with the Penman–Monteith equation using meteorological data measured from eight stations in the basin. Crop coefficient (K_c) was determined from measured evapotranspiration in spring wheat season in the region. The results showed that ET_c gradually increased in the upper reaches of the basin in the last 50 years, while the middle reaches showed a significant decreasing trend, and in other regions, no significant trend was found. These changes can be attributed to expansion of irrigation areas and climate change. The multiple regression analysis between ET_c and altitude, latitude, and aspect were carried out for eight weather stations and the relationships were used to map ET_c for the basin. The spatial variations of ET_c were analyzed for three typical growing seasons based their precipitation. Results showed that long-term average ET_c over cultivated land was increasing from 270 mm in southwest mountainous area to 591 mm in northeast oasis of the basin, and the relative error between the estimated ET_c in spring wheat growing season by reference evapotranspiration (ET₀) and crop coefficient (K_c), and the interpolated ET_c was within 11.1%.     

Crop coefficient of sesame in a semi-arid region of I.R. Iran

Crop coefficient of sesame is necessary for the water requirement estimation in irrigation water planning and management. This study has been initiated to determine the crop coefficient (K_c) of sesame in a semi-arid climate. The relationships between K_c and ET_p/E_p (pan evaporation) and leaf area index (LAI), growing degree-day (GDD) and days after sowing (DAS), were also investigated. The seasonal ET_p for sesame in the study area with a 5 month growth period was 910 m. The mid-season and late-season K_c values for sesame were 1.08 and 0.64, respectively. These values are somewhat lower and higher than those for other oil seed crops. The K_c value for the initial stage was close to that obtained by the procedure proposed by Allen et al. [Allen, R.G., Smith, M., Pereira, L.S., Pruitt, W.O., 1997. Proposed revision to the FAO procedure for estimating evapotranspiration. In: The Second Iranian Congress on Soil and Water Issues, 15–17 February 1997. Tehran, I.R. of Iran, pp. 1–18]. The ratio of ET_p/E_p varied between 0.49–1.0 from the beginning to the middle of the growing season which is a sign of mild local advection in the region. The maximum ratios of ET_p/ET₀ and ET_p/E_p occurred at a LAI of 3.0. Furthermore, third-order polynomials were presented to predict the K_c values from days after sowing (DAS), percent days after sowing (%DAS) and growing degree-day (GDD).     

A consolidated evaluation of the FAO-56 dual crop coefficient approach using the lysimeter data in the North China Plain

The main purpose of this paper was to evaluate whether or not the dual crop coefficient (DCC) method proposed in FAO-56 was suitable for calculating the actual daily evapotranspiration of the main crops (winter wheat and summer maize) in the North China Plain (NCP). The results were evaluated with the data measured by the large-scale weighing lysimeter at the Yucheng Comprehensive Experimental Station (YCES) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) from 1998 to 2005 using the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), the root mean square error (RMSE) and the root mean square error to observations’ standard deviation ratio (RSR). The evaluation results showed that the DCC method performed effective in simulating the quantity of seasonal evapotranspiration for winter wheat but was inaccurate in calculating the peak values. The RMSE value of the winter wheat during the total growing season was less than 0.9 mm/d, the NSE and RSR values during the total growing stage were “Very Good”, but the results for summer maize were “Unsatisfactory”. The recommended basal crop coefficient values K_cbtab during the initial, mid-season and end stages for winter wheat and summer maize were modified and the variation scope of basal crop coefficient K_cb was analyzed. The K_c (compositive crop coefficient, K_c = ET_c/ET₀, ET_c here is the observed values by lysimeter, ET₀ is the reference evapotranspiration) values were estimated using observed weighing lysimeter data during the corresponding stages for winter wheat and summer maize were 0.80, 1.15, 1.25, 0.95; 0.90, 0.95, 1.25, 1.00, respectively. These can be a reference for irrigation planning.     

Water use, crop coefficients, and irrigation management criteria for camelina production in arid regions

Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz is an oilseed crop touted as being suitable for production in the arid southwestern USA. However, because any significant development of the crop has been limited to cooler, rain-fed climate-areas, information and guidance for managing irrigated-camelina are lacking. This study measured the crop water use of a November-through-April camelina crop in Arizona using frequent measurements of soil water contents. The crop was grown under surface irrigation using five treatment levels of soil water depletion. The seed yields of treatments averaged 1,142 kg ha⁻¹ (8.0% seed moisture) and were generally comparable with camelina yields reported in other parts of the USA. Varying total irrigation water amounts to treatments (295–330 mm) did not significantly affect yield, whereas total crop evapotranspiration (ET_c) was increased for the most frequently irrigated treatment. However, total ET_c for the camelina treatments (332–371 mm) was markedly less than that typically needed by grain and vegetable crops (600–655 mm), which are commonly grown during the same timeframe in Arizona. The camelina water-use data were used to develop crop coefficients based on days past planting, growing degree days, and canopy spectral reflectance. The crop coefficient curves, along with information presented on camelina soil water depletion and root zone water extraction characteristics will provide camelina growers in arid regions with practical tools for managing irrigations.     

Developing crop coefficients for field-grown tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) under drip irrigation with black plastic mulch

A 2 years field study was conducted to develop crop coefficients for field-grown tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), a major irrigated crop in the Jordan Valley, under drip irrigation system with black plastic mulch. The area of the study field was 1.5 ha surrounded by many similar tomato fields. Actual crop evapotranspiration (ET_C) was measured using eddy covariance technique which distinguishes this study from other previous studies conducted in the Jordan Valley that relied on the old indirect approach for ET_C estimation based on the soil water balance.Grass reference evapotranspiration (ET_O) was determined by using the FAO Penman–Monteith method utilizing the agrometeorological parameters measured at the study site. The crop coefficient (K_C) was determined as the ratio of ET_C to ET_O. The tomato crop coefficients were determined following the FAO crop coefficient model. The average crop coefficient during the midseason growth stage (K_C mid) was 0.82 which is far below the adjusted FAO crop coefficient of 1.19 by about 31%. Also, the late season crop coefficient (K_C end) was much lower than the adjusted FAO crop coefficient of 0.76 by about 40%. Moreover, the weighted average crop coefficient over the entire growing season (K_C GS) was 0.69, which is about 36% lower than the FAO corresponding value. In fact, the low K_C values obtained reflect the effect of practicing both localized drip irrigation and plastic mulch covering. This study showed that there is a big difference between the reported FAO crop coefficients and the one measured in the filed using a precise approach. These exact updated values of crop coefficients will enhance future estimation of crop water requirements and hence irrigation management of tomato crop which is the major irrigated crop in the Jordan Valley.     

Evapotranspiration of grapevine trained to a gable trellis system under netting and black plastic mulching

The evapotranspiration (ET _c) of a table grape vineyard (Vitis vinifera, cv. Red Globe) trained to a gable trellis under netting and black plastic mulching was determined under semiarid conditions in the central Ebro River Valley during 2007 and 2008. The netting was made of high-density polyethylene (pores of 12 mm²) and was placed just above the ground canopy about 2.2 m above soil surface. Black plastic mulching was used to minimize soil evaporation. The surface renewal method was used to obtain values of sensible heat flux (H) from high-frequency temperature readings. Later, latent heat flux (LE) values were obtained by solving the energy balance equation. For the May–October period, seasonal ET _c was about 843 mm in 2007 and 787 mm in 2008. The experimental weekly crop coefficients (K _cexp) fluctuated between 0.64 and 1.2. These values represent crop coefficients adjusted to take into account the reduction in ET _c caused by the netting and the black plastic mulching. Average K _cexp values during mid- and end-season stages were 0.79 and 0.98, respectively. End-season K _cexp was higher due to combination of factors related to the precipitation and low ET _o conditions that are typical in this region during fall. Estimated crop coefficients using the Allen et al. (1998) approach adjusting for the effects of the netting and black plastic mulching (K _cFAO) showed a good agreement with the experimental K _cexp values.     

Evapotranspiration and crop coefficients of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under sprinkler irrigation in a semiarid climate determined by the surface renewal method

The evapotranspiration (ET_c) of sprinkler-irrigated rice was determined for the semiarid conditions of NE Spain during 2001, 2002 and 2003. The surface renewal method, after calibration against the eddy covariance method, was used to obtain values of sensible heat flux (H) from high-frequency temperature readings. Latent heat flux values were obtained by solving the energy balance equation. Finally, lysimeter measurements were used to validate the evapotranspiration values obtained with the surface renewal method. Seasonal rice evapotranspiration was about 750–800 mm. Average daily ET_c for mid-season (from 90 to 130 days after sowing) was 5.1, 4.5 and 6.1 mm day^?1 for 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively. The experimental weekly crop coefficients fluctuated in the range of 0.83–1.20 for 2001, 0.81–1.03 for 2002 and 0.84–1.15 for 2003. The total growing season was about 150–160 days. In average, the crop coefficients for the initial (K_cini), mid-season (K_cmid) and late-season stages (K_cend) were 0.92, 1.06 and 1.03, respectively, the length of these stages being about 55, 45 and 25 days, respectively.     

The dual crop coefficient approach to estimate and partitioning evapotranspiration of the winter wheat–summer maize crop sequence in North China Plain

An accurate estimation of crop evapotranspiration (ET _c) is very useful for appropriate water management; hence, an accurate and user-friendly model is needed to support related irrigation decisions. In this view, a study was developed aimed at estimating the ET _c of winter wheat–summer maize crop sequence in the North China through eddy covariance measurements, to calibrate and validate the SIMDualKc model, to estimate the basal crop coefficients (K _cb) for both crops and to partition ET _c into soil evaporation and crop transpiration. Two years of field experimentation of that crop sequence were used to calibrate and validate the SIMDualKc model and to derive K _cb using eddy covariance measurements. Various indicators have shown the goodness of fit of the model, with estimated values very close to the observed ones and estimate errors close to 0.5 mm d^?1. The initial, mid-season and end basal crop coefficients for wheat were 0.25, 1.15 and 0.30, respectively, and those for maize were 0.15, 1.15 and 0.45, thus close to those proposed in FAO56 guidelines. The soil evaporation represented near 80 % of ET _c for the initial stages of winter wheat and summer maize and decreased to only 5–6 % during the mid-season period. Evaporation during the full crop season averaged 28 % for winter wheat and 40 % for summer maize. The importance of wetting frequency and crop ground coverage in controlling soil evaporation was evidenced.     

Regional cotton lint yield,ETc and water value in Arizona and California

Water value as agriculture production may be overlooked, though it is an important factor to rational water allocations within a region. An analysis of cotton (Upland and Pima) lint yield, lint yield-consumptive use ratio (LY:ET_c), water-use efficiency (WUE) and lint price for Arizona (AZ) and California (CA) during 1988–1999 is considered as part of an attempt to determine lint water value, or benefit. It included determination of means and variability of cotton lint production, LY:ET_c ratios and associated irrigation water values (IWVs) and compared these numbers with published estimates of WUE, forage hay water values and municipal water costs. Available rainfall, reference evapotranspiration (ET_o), lint yields and price data for counties in both states were used. Consumptive use was estimated using a four-stage crop coefficient function verified by literature values or County Advisor experience. As with dry matter production, cotton lint yields in interior valley regions of CA were weakly correlated with ET_c and averaged 1.33 Mg/ha (Upland) and 1.08 Mg/ha (Pima). Cotton lint yields in desert regions of AZ and CA were not correlated with ET_c. The greatest LY:ET_c ratios (1.9–2.1 kg/ha-mm) were in the San Joaquin valley of CA, were similar to that from WUE type studies and resulted in gross IWVs (∼3400–3800 US$/ha-m), with relatively moderate variability at a net irrigation water requirement (IWR) of approximately 720 mm. While this IWV is 2.5 times greater than water delivery prices below the California Delta, it is less than average municipal water costs of ∼4200 US$/ha-m for Los Angeles, San Francisco and Pheonix while the overall AZ/CA average cotton lint IWV is considerably less. However, cotton lint IWV is two to three times greater than that obtained for alfalfa and sudangrass hay crops in all regions.     

Water use of mature Thompson Seedless grapevines in California

Water use of Thompson Seedless grapevines was measured with a large weighing lysimeter from 4 to 7 years after planting (1990-1993). Above-ground drip-irrigation was used to water the vines. Vines growing within the lysimeter were pruned to four and six fruiting canes for the 1990 and 1991 growing seasons, respectively, and eight fruiting canes in the last 2 years. Maximum leaf area per vine at mid-season ranged from 23 to 27 m² across all years. Reference crop evapotranspiration (ET_o) averaged 1,173 mm between budbreak and the end of October each year, with a maximum daily amount of approximately 7 mm each year. Maximum daily vine water use (ET_c) was 6.1, 6.4, 6.0, and 6.7 mm (based upon a land area per vine of 7.55 m²) for 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993, respectively. Seasonal ET_c was 718 mm in 1990 and ranged from 811 to 865 mm for the remaining 3 years of the study. The differences in water use among years were probably due to the development of the vine's canopy (leaf area), since they were pruned to differing numbers of fruiting canes. These differences were more pronounced early in the season. Soil water content (SWC) within the lysimeter decreased early in the growing season, prior to the initiation of the first irrigation. Once irrigations commenced, SWC increased and then leveled off for the remainder of the season. The maximum crop coefficient (K_c) calculated during the first year (1990) was 0.87. The maximum K_c in 1991, 1992, and 1993 was 1.08, 0.98, and1.08, respectively. The maximum K_c in 1991 and 1993 occurred during the month of September, while that in 1992 was recorded during the month of July. The seasonal K_c followed a pattern similar to that of grapevine leaf area development each year. The K_c was also a linear function of leaf area per vine using data from all four growing seasons. The decrease in K_c late in the 1991, 1992, and 1993 growing seasons, generally starting in September, varied considerably among the years. This may have been associated with the fact that leafhoppers (Erythroneura elegantula Osborn and E. variabilis Beamer) were not chemically controlled in the vineyard beginning in 1991.     

Estimation of crop evapotranspiration of irrigation command area using remote sensing and GIS

This paper describes the use of satellite-based remote sensing (RS) data and geographic information system (GIS) tools for estimating seasonal crop evapotranspiration in Mahi Right Bank Canal (MRBC) command area of Gujarat, India. Crop coefficients (K_c) for various major crops grown in MRBC were estimated, empirically, from the RS derived soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) values. A reference crop evapotranspiration (ET₀) map was generated from point meteorological observations. The K_c and ET₀ maps were combined to generate seasonal crop evapotranspiration (ET_crop) map which highlighted spatial variation in ET_crop ranging from more than 600 mm for healthy tobacco crops to less than 150 mm for very poor wheat crops.     

Bahiagrass crop coefficients from eddy correlation measurements in central Florida

Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) is a warm-season grass used primarily in pastures and along highways and other low maintenance public areas in Florida. It is also used in landscapes to some extent because of its drought tolerance. Bahiagrass can survive under a range of moisture conditions from no irrigation to very wet conditions. Its well-watered consumptive use has not been reported previously. In this study, bahiagrass crop coefficients (K _c) for an irrigated pasture were determined for July 2003 through December 2006 in central Florida. The eddy correlation method was used to estimate crop evapotranspiration (ET_c) rates. The standardized reference evapotranspiration (ET_o) equation (ASCE-EWRI standardization of reference evapotranspiration task committee report, 2005) was applied to calculate ET_o values using on site weather data. Daily K _c values were estimated from the ratio of the measured ET_c and the calculated ET_o. The recommended K _c values for bahiagrass are 0.35 for January–February, 0.55 for March, 0.80 for April, 0.90 for May, 0.75 for June, 0.70 for July–August, 0.75 for September, 0.70 for October, 0.60 for November, and 0.45 for December in central Florida. The highest K _c value of 0.9 in May corresponded with maximum vapor pressure deficit conditions as well as cloud free conditions and the highest incoming solar radiation as compared to the rest of the year. During the summer (June to August), frequent precipitation events increased the cloud cover and reduced grass water use. The K _c annual trend was similar to estimated K _c values from another well-watered warm-season grass study in Florida.     

Evapotranspiration and crop coefficients of irrigated biomass sorghum for energy production

New cultivars of sorghum for biomass energy production are currently available. This crop has a positive energy balance being irrigation water the largest energy consumer during the growing cycle. Thence, it is important to know the biomass sorghum water requirements, in order to minimize irrigation losses, thus saving water and energy. The objective of this study was to quantify the water use and crop coefficients of irrigated biomass sorghum without soil water limitations during two growing seasons. A weighing lysimeter located in Albacete (Central Spain) was used to measure the daily biomass sorghum evapotranspiration (ET_c) throughout the growing season under sprinkler irrigation. Seasonal lysimeter ET_c was 721 mm in 2007 and 691 mm in 2010. The 4 % higher ET_c value in 2007 was due to an 8 % higher evaporative demand in that year. Maximum average K _c values of 1.17 in 2007 and 1.21 in 2010 were reached during the mid-season stage. The average K _c values for the 2 years of study were K _c-ini: 0.64 and K _c-mid: 1.19. The seasonal evaporation component was estimated to be about 18 % of ET_c. The average basal K _c (K _cb) values for the two study years were K _cb-ini: 0.11 and K _cb-mid: 1.17. The good linear relationship found between K _cb values and the fraction of ground cover (f _c) and the excellent agreement found between Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and different biophysical parameters, such as K _cb and f _c, will allow monitoring and estimating the spatially distributed water requirements of biomass sorghum at field and regional scales.