Quasi 3D modelling of vadose zone soil-water flow for optimizing irrigation strategies: Challenges, uncertainties and efficiencies. (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rezaei, Meisam; De Pue, Jan; Seuntjens, Piet; Joris, Ingeborg; Cornelis, Wim
• Is Part Of: Environmental modelling & software. Volume 93(2017)
• Page Start: 59
• Page End: 77
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: Quasi 3D modelling approach -- Water flow simulation -- Optimized irrigation -- Triggered irrigation -- Modelling uncertainty -- Irrigation effectiveness; Environmental monitoring -- Computer programs -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Computer simulation -- Periodicals; Digital computer simulation -- Periodicals; Computer software -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Computer Simulation -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Logiciels -- Périodiques; Écologie -- Simulation, Méthodes de -- Périodiques; Simulation par ordinateur -- Périodiques; Logiciels -- Périodiques; Computer software; Digital computer simulation; Ecology -- Computer simulation; Environmental monitoring -- Computer programs; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.70015118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2017.03.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-8152

Abstract

Abstract: A quasi 3D modelling approach was developed by integrating a crop growth (LINGRA-N) and a hydrological model (Hydrus-1D) to simulate and visualize water flow, soil-water storage, water stress and crop yield over a heterogeneous sandy field. We assessed computational efficiency and uncertainty with low-to high-spatial resolution input factors (soil-hydraulic properties, soil-layer thickness and groundwater level) and evaluated four irrigation scenarios (no, current, optimized and triggered) to find the optimal and cost-effective irrigation scheduling. Numerical results showed that the simulation uncertainty was reduced when using the high-resolution information while a fast performance was maintained. The approach accurately determined the field scale irrigation requirements, taking into account spatial variations of input information. Optimal irrigation scheduling is obtained by triggered-irrigation resulting in saving up to ∼300% water as compared to the current-irrigation, while yield increased ∼1%. Overall, the approach can be useful to help decision makers and applicants in precision farming. Highlights: We developed a quasi 3D modelling approach to simulate the field scale water flow. The approach reproduced high resolution spatial patterns/data of water status. The uncertainty in model output was reduced by using the high-resolution information. The approach can accurately determine the field scale irrigation requirements. The approach can help decision makers and applicants in precision irrigation/farming.