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ARS Home » Plains Area » Bushland, Texas » Conservation and Production Research Laboratory » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #72191
Title: DAILY MEASUREMENT AND CALCULATION OF CROP WATER USE

Author
item LASCANO, ROBERT - TEXAS AGRIC. EXP. STN.
item BAUMHARDT, R - TEXAS AGRIC. EXP. STN.
item HICKS, STANLEY - TEXAS AGRIC. EXP. STN.
item Evett, Steven - Steve
item HEILMAN, JAMES - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: International Evapotranspiration Irrigation Scheduling Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/12/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: There is a need for an accurate method to calculate and to measure crop water use on a real-time basis. We implemented a system that combines existing knowledge of crop water use and newly developed technology to control the timely application of water in the correct amount. The technologies involved are the measurement of plant water use with electronic stem flow gauges and measurement of soil water with time domain reflectometry. Measurements are coupled with calculated values of crop water use obtained with the mechanistic simulation model ENWATBAL. The system is integrated because all functions, e.g. measurements, model execution, activation of water delivery system, are controlled by a single computer. The system was tested over a 2-year period with cotton in Lubbock, TX, using a surface drip irrigation system during the second year. The resulting system can be used to schedule irrigation by farmers, determine the water requirements of different crops, and as a research too by scientists.