Evaluation of Non-Linear Root Water Uptake Model Under Different Agro-Climates

The present study examines the effectiveness of a nonlinear ischolar_main water uptake (RWU) model for different agro-climates. Evaluation of O-R model is performed for three agro-climates considering secondary data of Roorkee (semi-arid), Solan (sub-temperate subhumid) and primary data of Hamirpur (humid subtropical region). Field experiments on maize (Zea mays), Indian mustard (Brassica Juncea) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) were conducted at different locations. The RWU model with a numerical simulation was developed for predicting moisture movement in the crop ischolar_main zone. The predicted results were compared with the observed field data. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations were performed on the basis of soil moisture profile in the crop ischolar_main zone, soil moisture depletion and soil moisture variation during crop period at different ischolar_main zone depths. The model-predicted and field-observed values were found to be in strong agreement for all the parameters indicating the efficacy of the numerical model coupled with nonlinear RWU model in predicting soil moisture dynamics in ischolar_main zone.