Evaluating a Surface Energy Balance Model for Partially Wetted Surfaces: Drip and Micro-Sprinkler Systems in Hazelnut Orchards (Corylus Avellana L.)

Abstract

A multi-layer surface energy balance model was previously developed to estimate crop transpiration (T) and soil evaporation (E) in orchards partially wet by micro-irrigation systems. The model, referred to as SEB-PW, estimates latent (λE), sensible (H), and soil heat fluxes (G) and separates actual evapotranspiration (ETa) into dry and wet soil E and crop T. The main goal of this work was to evaluate the ability of the SEB-PW model to estimate ETa and analyze the diurnal and seasonal dynamics of E and T in two hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) orchards irrigated by drip or micro-sprinkler systems. The assessment showed that simulated hourly ET was highly correlated with estimates from nearby weather stations and with measurements from micro-lysimeters (MLs). Hourly ET estimates were evaluated by root-mean-square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), the Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient (NSE), and the index of agreement (da), which equaled 58.6 W m−2, 35.6 W m−2, 0.85, and 0.94, respectively. Daily E estimates were also evaluated and equaled 0.27 mm day−1, 0.21 mm day−1, 0.87, and 0.94, respectively, and obtained a coefficient of determination (r2) of 0.85 when compared to the measurements from the MLs. Within a day of irrigation, E accounted for 28 and 46% of ET. In accordance with the obtained results, the proposed SEB-PW model improves estimates of soil E by allowing the wetted and non-wetted areas to be estimated separately, which could be useful for optimizing irrigation methods and practices in hazelnut orchards.

Assessment of the Midseason Crop Coefficient for the Evaluation of the Water Demand of Young, Grafted Hazelnut Trees in High-Density Orchards

“…In this way, the intensity of light is detected at different heights of the plant and is compared with the light measured in full sunlight, revealing the light interception by the tree canopy. This parameter is important because there is a direct relationship between cumulative ET and PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) light interception by the tree canopy; a higher PAR light interception value corresponds to higher ET [25]. To obtain an estimation of the light interception by the whole tree canopy, the canopy light interception is expressed as the mean value of all data recorded at different distances from the trunk and tree heights.…”

An Innovative Approach to Cleaning Up Organic and Inorganic Contaminations from Soil and Water

“…Souto et al [6] showed the ability of the SEB-PW (Surface Energy Balance Model for Partially Wetted) model to estimate actual evapotranspiration (Eta) and analyze the diurnal and seasonal dynamics of evaporation (E) and transpiration (T) in two Corylus avellana L. orchards using drip or micro-sprinkler irrigation systems. The study results indicated that the used model enhanced soil E by allowing the wetted and non-wetted areas.…”