Optimizing irrigation scheduling for winter wheat in the North China Plain

In the North China Plain (NCP), more than 70% of irrigation water resources are used for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A crucial target of groundwater conservation and sustainable crop production is to develop water-saving agriculture, particularly for winter wheat. The purpose of this study was to optimize irrigation scheduling for high wheat yield and water use efficiency (WUE). Field experiments were conducted for three growing seasons at the Wuqiao Experiment Station of China Agriculture University. Eleven, four and six irrigation treatments, consisting of frequency of irrigation (zero to four times) and timing (at raising, jointing, booting, flowering and milking stage), were employed for 1994/95, 1995/96 and 1996/97 seasons, respectively. Available water content (AWC), rain events, soil water use (SWU), evapotranspiration (ET) and grain yield were recorded, and water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) were calculated.The results showed that after a 75-mm pre-sowing irrigation, soil water content and AWC in the root zone of a 2-m soil profile during sowing were 31.1% (or 90.7% of field capacity) and 16.1%, respectively. Rainfall events were variable and showed a limited impact on AWC. The AWC decreased significantly with the growth of wheat. At the jointing stage no water deficits occurred for all treatments, at the flowering stage water deficits were found only in the rain-fed treatment, and at harvest all treatments had moderate to severe soil water deficits. The SWU in the 2-m soil profile was negatively related to the irrigation water volume, i.e. applying 75 mm irrigation reduced SWU by 28.2 mm. Regression analyses showed that relationships between ET and grain yield or WUE could be described by quadratic functions. Grain yield and WUE reached their maximum values of 7423 kg/ha and 1.645 kg/m³ at the ET rate of 509 and 382 mm, respectively. IWUE was negatively correlated with irrigated water volume. From the above results, three irrigation schedules: (1) pre-sowing irrigation only, (2) pre-sowing irrigation + irrigation at jointing or booting stage, and (3) pre-sowing irrigation + irrigations at jointing and flowering stages were identified and recommended for practical winter wheat production in the NCP.     

Sprinkler irrigation scheduling of winter wheat in the North China Plain using a 20 cm standard pan

Based on evaporation from a 20 cm diameter pan placed above the crop canopy, sprinkler irrigation scheduling of winter wheat was studied in the North China Plain (NCP) in the 2001–2004 winter wheat seasons. Results showed that pan evaporation (E _pan,C) was closely related to actual evapotranspiration (ET) measured using weighing lysimeters. The combined pan–crop coefficient (K _c,pan), the ratio of ET to E _pan,C, was closely related to leaf area index (LAI ) and plant height. Data from the 2002–2003 season were used to establish the relationships between K _c,pan and LAI (method A) or plant height (method B), and used to determine the crop coefficient (method C). ET computed by the three methods was compared with measured ET using lysimeters in the 2001–2002 and 2003–2004 seasons. Mean relative error of estimated daily ET by the three methods ranged from 20 to 30%, and the relative error in cumulative ET in the experimental periods ranged from 1 to 19%. Among the three methods, results from methods A and B were not significantly different from each other (P > 0.01), and were closer to the lysimeter data than results from method C (P < 0.001). Method B, being easier to measure, was recommended for ET estimation in NCP.     

基于SIMDual_Kc模型估算非充分灌水条件下冬小麦蒸散量

为研究关中冬小麦植株蒸腾和土壤蒸发规律,利用2 a冬小麦小区控水试验实测数据,率定和验证了双作物系数SIMDual_Kc模型在关中地区的适用性.用大型称重式蒸渗仪的实测蒸散量值(或水量平衡法计算值)与模型模拟值进行对比.结果表明:SIMDualKc模型可较准确地模拟关中不同水分条件下冬小麦蒸散量,且模拟精度较高.模型估算的平均绝对误差为0.643 3 mm/d.模型估算的冬小麦初期、中期和后期的基础作物系数分别为0.35,1.30,0.20.另外,模型还可以较准确地估算不同水分供应条件下的土壤水分胁迫系数、土壤蒸发量和植株蒸散量.冬小麦整个生育期,土壤蒸发主要发生在作物生育前期,中期较低,后期略微增大;植株蒸腾主要发生在作物快速生长期和生长中期,整个生育期中呈先增大后减小的趋势.     

Simulation of water dynamics and irrigation scheduling for winter wheat and maize in seasonal frost areas

Continuous cropping of winter wheat and summer maize is the main cropping pattern in North China Plain lying in a seasonal frost area. Irrigation scheduling of one crop will influence soil water regime and irrigation scheduling of the subsequent crop. Therefore, irrigation scheduling of winter wheat and maize should be studied as a whole. Considering the meteorological and crop characteristics of the area lying in a seasonal frost area, a cropping year is divided into crop growing period and frost period. Model of simultaneous moisture and heat transfer (SMHT) for the frost period and model of soil water transfer (SWT) for the crop growing period were developed, and used jointly for the simulation of soil water dynamics and irrigation scheduling for a whole cropping year. The model was calibrated and validated with field experiment of winter wheat and maize in Beijing, China. Then the model was applied to the simulation of water dynamics and irrigation scheduling with different precipitation and irrigation treatments. From the simulation results, precipitation can meet the crop water requirement of maize to a great extent, and irrigation at the seeding stage may be necessary. Precipitation and irrigation had no significant influence on evaporation and transpiration of maize. On the other hand, irrigation scheduling of winter wheat mainly depends on irrigation standard. Irrigation at the seeding stage and before soil freezing is usually necessary. For high irrigation standard, four times of irrigation are required after greening. While for medium irrigation, only once (rainy year) or twice (medium and dry years) of irrigation is required after greening. Transpiration of winter wheat is very close for high and medium irrigation, but it decreases significantly for low irrigation and will result in a reduction of crop yield. Irrigation with proper time and amount is necessary for winter wheat. Considering irrigation quota and crop transpiration comprehensively, medium irrigation is recommended for the irrigation of winter wheat in the studying area, which can reduce the irrigation quota of over 150 mm with little water stress for crop growth.     

Effects of irrigation and planting patterns on radiation use efficiency and yield of winter wheat in North China

The factor limiting the increase in winter wheat yield was not the deficiency of light radiation but the low radiation use efficiency (RUE). In 2004-2005 and 2005-2006, an experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Station of Shandong Agricultural University to study the effects of irrigation and different planting patterns on the photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) capture ratio, PAR utilization, and winter wheat yield. In this experiment, winter wheat was planted in four patterns as follows: uniform row planting (U; row spacing, 30 cm), “20 + 40” wide-narrow row planting (W), “20 + 40” furrow planting (F), and “20 + 40” bed planting (B), which are very popular in North China. The results showed that under different irrigation regimes, there was no significant difference (less than 15.93%) between any of the planting patterns with respect to the amount of PAR intercepted by the winter wheat canopies. However, significant differences were observed between different planting patterns with respect to the amount of PAR intercepted by plants that were 60-80 cm above the ground surface (53.35-225.16%). This result was mainly due to the changes in the vertical distributions of leaf area index (LAI). As a result, the effects of the planting patterns on RUE and the winter wheat yield were due the vertical distribution of PAR in the winter wheat canopies. During the late winter wheat growing season, irrespective of the applied irrigation, the RUE in case of F was higher than that in case of U, W, and B by 0.05-0.09, 0.04-0.08, and 0.02-0.12 g/mol, respectively, and the yield was higher by 238.39-693.46, 160.02-685.96, and 308.98-699.06 kg/ha, respectively. Only under the fully irrigated conditions, the RUE and winter wheat yield significantly (LSD; P < 0.05) increased in case of B. This experiment showed that in North China, where the water shortage is the highest, application of planting pattern B should be restricted. Instead, F should be used in combination with deficit irrigation to increase the RUE and grain yield of winter wheat.     

Impact of drip and level-basin irrigation on growth and yield of winter wheat in the North China Plain

A field experiment was conducted for 3 consecutive years (2007–2009) to study the effects of two different irrigation methods, that is, level-basin irrigation (BI) and drip irrigation (DI), and different treatment levels on crop growth, yield, and WUE of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the North China Plain (NCP). The results indicate that irrigation methods and treatment levels had significant effects on crop growth and yield of winter wheat. Irrigation amounts significantly influenced plant heights, LAI, and winter wheat grain yields (P < 0.05 level) for both irrigation methods. Further, the DI method significantly improved yield and WUE compared with the BI method (P < 0.05 level) under conditions of deficit irrigation. Without irrigation system investment consideration, crop water productivity was highest when DI was used and irrigations were scheduled when soil water was depleted to 60 and 50 % of field capacity.     

Model validation and crop coefficients for irrigation scheduling in the North China plain

ISAREG is a model for simulation and evaluation of irrigation scheduling. The model performs the soil water balance and evaluates impacts of water stress on yields for different crops. It is now being used to support a water saving irrigation scheduling program in a pilot area in the North China plain. This paper reports on the calibration and validation of the model using independent data sets relative to winter wheat and summer maize. Data are originated from the Wangdu experimental station and concern a set of drainage lysimeters where diverse irrigation treatments were applied representing different strategies of deficit irrigation. The calibration of the model was performed by deriving the crop coefficients adapted to the local climatic conditions, and considering the soil freezing during winter. The validation of the model was performed using different data sets. Results show that the relative errors to estimate the soil water content averaged 5.3% for summer maize and 7.3% for the winter wheat. These results support the use of the model in the practice.     

A modified checkbook irrigation method based on GIS-coupled model for regional irrigation scheduling

In this study, a regional irrigation schedule optimization method was proposed and applied in Fengqiu County in the North China Plain, which often suffers serious soil water drainage and nitrogen (N) leaching problems caused by excessive irrigation. The irrigation scheduling method was established by integrating the ‘checkbook irrigation method’ into a GIS-coupled soil water and nitrogen management model (WNMM) as an extension. The soil water and crop information required by the checkbook method, and previously collected from field observations, was estimated by the WNMM. By replacing manually observed data with simulated data from WNMM, the application range of the checkbook method could be extended from field scale to regional scale. The WNMM and the checkbook irrigation method were both validated by field experiments in the study region. The irrigation experiment in fluvo–aquic soil showed that the checkbook method had excellent performance; soil water drainage and N leaching were reduced by 83.1 and 85.6%, respectively, when compared with local farmers’ flood irrigation. Using the validated WNMM, the performance of checkbook irrigation in an entire winter wheat and summer maize rotation was also validated: the average soil water drainage and N leaching in four types of soils decreased from 331 to 75 mm year⁻¹ and 47.7 to 9.3 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively; and average irrigation water use efficiency increased from 26.5 to 57.2 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹. The regional irrigation schedule optimization method based on WNMM was applied in Fengqiu County. The results showed a good effect on saving irrigation water, decreasing soil water drainage and then saving agricultural inputs. In a typical meteorological year, it could save >110 mm of irrigation water on average, translating to >7.26 × 10⁷ m³ of agricultural water saved each year within the county. Annual soil water drainage was reduced to <143 mm and N leaching to <27 kg ha⁻¹ in most soils, all of which were significantly lower than local farmers’ flood irrigation. In the mean time, crop yield also had an average increase of 2,890 kg ha⁻¹ when checkbook irrigation was applied.     

Effects of saline water irrigation on soil salinity and yield of winter wheat–maize in North China Plain

Drought and fresh water shortage are in the way of sustainable agriculture development in the North China Plain. The scarcity of fresh water forces farmers to use shallow saline ground water, which helps to overcome drought and increase crop yields but also increases the risk of soil salinization. This paper describes salt regimes and crop responses to saline irrigation water based on field experiments conducted from October 1997 to September 2005. It was found that use of saline water causes the ECe of the topsoil (0–100 cm, Cv: 0.196∼0.330) to be higher and more variable than the subsoil (100–180 cm, Cv: 0.133∼0.219). The salt load rapidly increased, notably in the upper 80 cm and especially during the season of October 1999 to June 2000. It was concluded that the maximum soil depth to which the soil was leached during the wet season was about 150 cm. The relative yields of winter wheat could be ranked Fresh Sufficient (FS, 100%) > Fresh Limited (FL, 91.80%) > Saline Sufficient (SS, 91.63%) > Saline Limited (SL, 88.28%) > Control (C, 69.58%) and for maize FS (100%) > FL (96.37%) > SS (93.05%) > SL (90.04%)> C (89.81%). The best irrigation regime was Saline Limited for winter wheat and maize, provided rainfall is sufficient. The experiments confirm that saline irrigation water appears to be economically attractive to farmers in the short term and ecological hazards can still be controlled with proper leaching.     

Application of EPIC model for irrigation scheduling of sunflower in Southern Italy

A crop simulation model was used to optimize irrigation scheduling for sunflower grown in Southern Italy. The EPIC model, calibrated and validated in previous studies, was run for a 45-year simulation with climatic data measured daily, using 66 scenarios involving a combination of irrigation times (at five fixed data), seasonal irrigation amounts (from 0 to 200 mm) and irrigation frequency.The results obtained from the simulation indicate: (i) the superiority of single or double irrigation in the central phase (bud flower opening, flowering) for seed and biomass yield; (ii) the optimal value of seasonal irrigation water to be about 250–300 mm for the highest water use efficiency value; (iii) the highest profitability for the farmer achieved with a single irrigation of 200 mm at bud flower phase and a reduction of net income with irrigation at sowing or at seed ripening phases.The EPIC model, due to its sub-models (growth, weather, soil, management, water, erosion, economic, etc.), can be considered a useful tool for comparing several management strategies, and requires a minimum investment of time and money. This approach could be used at the farm level or on a larger scale.     

麦后移栽棉节水高效灌溉模式

为确定麦后移栽棉的合理灌溉方式,在测坑条件下研究不同灌水次数组合对麦后移栽棉生长发育、蕾铃生长、籽棉产量、纤维品质及水分利用率的影响.研究结果表明：麦后移栽棉在新叶萌发期加灌促苗水（CT1）虽然促进了植株生长发育,但成铃数和铃重没有显著提高,也没有显著提高籽棉产量和纤维品质,且衣分和灌溉水利用率最低;仅灌活苗水而依靠降雨（CT4）不足以满足麦后移栽棉的正常需水,棉花受到了水分亏缺,抑制了植株生长发育和蕾铃正常生长,导致出现大幅度减产（18.9%）,降低了水分利用率,同时水分亏缺降低了马克隆值和断裂比强度,纤维品质差.与CT1处理相比,对盛蕾期进行灌水处理,在没有降低籽棉产量和纤维品质的情况下,显著提高了衣分,同时,水分利用率和灌溉水利用率分别提高了8.5%和30.8%,可实现麦后移栽棉节水高产的统一.     

Canopy water use efficiency of winter wheat in the North China Plain

Canopy water use efficiency (W), the ratio of crop productivity to evapotranspiration (ET), is critical in determining the production and water use for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the North China Plain, where winter wheat is a major crop and rainfall is scarce and variable. With the eddy covariance (EC) technique, we estimated canopy W of winter wheat at gross primary productivity (W_G) and net ecosystem productivity (W_N) levels from revival to maturing in three seasons of 2002/2003, 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 at Yucheng Agro-ecosystem Station. Meanwhile we also measured the biomass-based water use efficiency (W_B). Our results indicate that W_G, W_N and W_B showed the similar seasonal variation. Before jointing (revival-jointing), W_G, W_N and W_B were obviously lower with the values of 2.09-3.54 g C kg⁻¹, −0.71 to 0.06 g C kg⁻¹ and 1.37-4.03 g kg⁻¹, respectively. After jointing (jointing-heading), the winter wheat began to grow vigorously, and W_G, W_N and W_B significantly increased to 5.26-6.78 g C kg⁻¹, 1.47-1.86 g C kg⁻¹ and 6.41-7.03 g kg⁻¹, respectively. The maximums of W_G, W_N and W_B occurred around the stage of heading. Thereafter, W_G, W_N and W_B began to decrease. During the observed periods, three levels of productivity: GPP, NEP and aboveground biomass (AGB) all had fairly linear relationships with ET. The slopes of GPP-ET, NEP-ET and AGB-ET were 4.67-6.12 g C kg⁻¹, 1.50-2.08 g C kg⁻¹ and 6.87-11.02 g kg⁻¹, respectively. Generally, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and daytime vapor pressure deficit (D) had negative effects on W_G, W_N and W_B except for on some cloudy days with low PAR and D. In many cases, W_G, W_N and W_B showed the similar patterns. While there were still some obvious differences between them besides in magnitude, such as their significantly different responses to PAR and D on cloudy and moist days.     

调亏灌溉条件下冬小麦籽粒灌浆特征及其模拟模型

在移动式防雨棚下,采用盆栽土培方法,以冬小麦（Triticum aestivum L.）为试验材料进行了调亏灌溉（regulated deficit irrigation,RDI）试验研究,目的在于了解RDI对冬小麦籽粒灌浆特性的影响,并对其进行模拟,为建立冬小麦RDI指标与模式提供理论依据与技术参数。试验采用二因素（水分调亏阶段和调节亏水度）随机区组设计。结果表明,RDI条件下冬小麦籽粒灌浆过程符合“缓-快-慢”的“S”型生长曲线,并可用Richards方程进行较好的模拟;不同水分调亏处理间最大灌浆速率及其出现时间、平均灌浆速率、灌浆持续期、活跃生长期和3个灌浆阶段灌浆持续期,以及最终千粒质量等特征参数差异达显著水平;其中,越冬期轻度调亏具有最高的平均灌浆速率（每百粒0.234 g/d）、最大灌浆速率（每百粒0.369 g/d）、最高的第3阶段灌浆速率（每百粒0.099 g/d）和最高的千粒质量（58.46 g）。经相关和逐步回归分析灌浆参数与千粒质量的关系,结果表明,多数参数间存在着显著或极显著的相关性,其中,与千粒质量有显著或极显著相关关系的参数有最大灌浆速率、平均灌浆速率、活跃生长期和第3阶段灌浆速率等。     

CPSP模型在华北井灌区农业水管理中的应用

为研究不同农业水管理措施对区域水平衡的影响,选择北京市大兴区为华北井灌区代表性研究区,以CPsP模型为技术支持,研究了提高灌溉水利用率、采用亏缺灌溉、改善农业种植结构及利用区外水源等不同水管理措施影响下区域水平衡、区域耗水、区域取水及用水指标的变化规律.结果表明,在资源型缺水区域,提高灌溉水利用率、采用非充分灌溉及改善农业种植结构在一定程度上能缓解区域水资源紧缺的压力,特别是采用非充分灌溉及改善作物种植结构能显著减少区域取水及耗水总量,并能减少地表水及地下水的补给量中回归水所占比例,在缓解区域水资源紧缺压力的同时也降低了区域水质遭受回归水污染风险.另外,在未来情景中,因经济快速发展及人口持续增长,工业及居民生活用水量增加,区域水资源供需矛盾将会加剧,为确保区域水资源良性循环,势必采取积极有效的水资源管理模式.     

Water-yield relations and water-use efficiency of winter wheat in the North China Plain

Limited precipitation restricts yield of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in the North China Plain. Water stress effects on yield can be avoided or minimized by application of irrigation. We examined the multiseasonal irrigation experiments in four locations of the piedmont and lowland in the region, and developed crop water-stress sensitivity index, relationship between seasonal evapotranspiration (ET) and yield, and crop water production functions. By relating relative yield to relative ET deficit, we found that the crop was more sensitive to water stress from stem elongation to heading and from heading to milking. For limited irrigation, irrigation is recommended during the stages sensitive to water stress. Grain yield was 258–322 g m⁻² in the piedmont and 260–280 g m⁻² in the lowland under rainfed conditions. The corresponding seasonal ET was 242–264 mm in the piedmont and 247–281 mm in the lowland. Irrigation significantly increased seasonal ET and therefore grain yield as a result of increased kernel numbers per m⁻² and kernels per ear. On average, one irrigation increased grain yield by 21–43% and two to four irrigations by 60–100%. Grain yield was linearly related to seasonal ET with a slope of 1.15 kg m⁻³ in the lowland and 1.73 kg m⁻³ in the piedmont. Water-use efficiency was 0.98–1.22 kg m⁻³ for rainfed wheat and 1.20–1.40 kg m⁻³ for the wheat irrigated 2–4 times. Grain yield response to the amount of irrigation (IRR) was developed using a quadratic function and used to analyze different irrigation scenarios. To achieve the maximum grain yield, IRR was 240 mm in the piedmont and 290 mm in the lowland. When the maximum net profit was achieved, IRR was 195 mm and 250 mm in the piedmont and lowland, respectively. The yield response curve to IRR showed a plateau over a large range of IRR, indicating a great potential in saving IRR while maintaining reasonable high levels of grain yield.     

SIRIAS: a simulation model for sprinkler irrigation

Uniformity of distribution in irrigation systems plays an important role in the optimum use of irrigation water, with direct repercussions on water-use efficiency and production. To evaluate the effects of the wind on sprinkler water uniformity, it is necessary to measure infield water distribution under different wind conditions and then calculate the parameters that define water distribution. This paper perfects the SIRIAS simulation model for sprinkler systems, which can be used to design new irrigation installations or to improve existing ones. Using ballistic theory to simulate the trajectory of drops discharged by the sprinkler, the model obtains wind-distorted water distribution, with a new formulation for the air drag coefficient. It takes into account three options to distribute the evaporation and drift losses in the irrigation process. SIRIAS software has been programmed using Delphi language for Windows 95, 98 and NT.     

Influence of season to season variability in weather on irrigation scheduling of wheat: A simulation study

Summary There is an increasing demand from farmers for irrigation scheduling advice. Where rainfall and evapotranspiration vary little from year to year, advice on a fixed irrigation schedule based on mean climatic data can be given. However where significant year to year variability in weather occurs a more flexible approach using actual weather data to predict the current level of soil water and mean climatic data to forecast the future rate of depletion and hence irrigation date may be needed. A technique for deciding the most appropriate scheduling approach was tested by using a simple model of crop growth combined with a soil water balance model to simulate year to year variability in scheduling advice. This technique was applied to irrigated wheat using a set of climatic data from 1968 to 1978 for Griffith in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area of New South Wales, Australia. A typical sowing date in early June was used and simulated irrigations were scheduled at an allowable soil water depletion (ASWD) of 62 mm for maximum yield and 93 mm for 80% of maximum. The analysis predicted that weather variability between years would cause the number of irrigations to vary from 2 to 7 for ASWD=62 mm and 1 to 4 for ASWD=93 mm. The interval between irrigations varied from 12 to 30 days, for ASWD=62 mm and from 16 to 28 days, for ASWD=93 mm. The first irrigation occurred between 76 and 131 days from sowing for ASWD=62 mm and from 100 to 140 days from sowing for ASWD=93 mm. The date of the last irrigation was similarly variable. This high degree of variability in the times and frequency of irrigations indicated that in south-eastern Australia accurate irrigation scheduling advice can only be given by using a flexible model using both actual and mean climatic data. A fixed schedule based on mean climatic data would lead to an inefficient use of water caused by the mistiming of irrigations.     

基于蒸发皿水面蒸发量制定冬小麦喷灌计划

该研究拟利用直径为20cm的标准蒸发皿,制定简单易行的喷灌冬小麦灌溉计划。试验于2005－2006年和2006－2007年冬小麦生长季节,在中国科学院通州农田水循环和节水灌溉试验基地进行。以布置在冠层上20 cm直径蒸发皿水面蒸发量（E）为基础,研究了不同水面蒸发量倍数（分别为0.25、0.50、0.75、1.00和1.25倍,以及不灌水对照处理）灌溉水量条件下,喷灌水量对土壤水分、冬小麦生长、产量、耗水量和水分利用效率的影响,分析了利用水面蒸发量制定喷灌灌溉计划的可行性。试验结果显示,喷灌条件下土壤水分主要在0～60 cm土层内变化。当灌溉水量小于0.25E时,冬小麦叶面积指数和生物量较小,而大于1.00E也会抑制冬小麦生长。喷灌条件下冬小麦单个生育期内的耗水量在 312～508 mm内变化,耗水量随着灌水量的增加而增加。喷灌0.50E～0.75E时,冬小麦产量和水分利用效率最高或者接近于最高;灌水量较小（≤0.25E）和较大（≥1.00E）时均会降低产量。建议在北京地区冬小麦返青后,喷灌水量可采用0.50～0.75倍的20 cm蒸发皿水面蒸发量,灌水间隔可采用5～7 d。     

A simulation model of water dynamics in winter wheat field and its application in a semiarid region

Many models for water flow in cropped soil contain parameters such as rooting density, root permeability, and root water potential. Usually these parameters are chosen by trial-and-error method and direct measurements are difficult and impractical in some cases. This study presents a simulation model capable of analyzing water transport dynamics in a soil–plant–atmosphere continuum (SPAC). This model is developed by combining an existing mathematical model for soil water flow, a modified transpiration model taking into account of the air pressure and diurnal changes of the extinction coefficient of crop canopies, and a new simple model for root water uptake. Using data from lysimeters in a field experiment carried out on a wheat crop, we also developed two new empirical equations for the estimation of total canopy resistance and soil evaporation.We then applied the model for 2 years (1990–1991, 1991–1992) on winter wheat in a semiarid area of northwest China. Required parameters, particularly soil hydraulic and crop parameters, were determined by field and laboratory tests. Outputs from the simulation were in good agreement with the independent field measurements of seasonal changes in soil water content, canopy transpiration, surface evaporation, and root water uptake along the soil profile. In addition, this simulation agreed well with the actual measurements of seasonal crop water consumption and soil water balance among the treatments for different irrigation amounts.