Assessment of satellite-based water requirements for a drip-irrigated apple orchard in Mediterranean agroclimatic conditions

Authors

• Daniel de la Fuente-Saiz, Universidad de Talca
• Samuel Ortega-Farias, Universidad de Talca
• Marcos Carrasco-Benavides, Universidad Católica del Maule
• Samuel Ortega-Salazar, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Fei Tian, China Agricultural University, National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Efficient Water Use of Oasis Agriculture in Wuwei of Gansu Province
• Sufen Wang, China Agricultural University, National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Efficient Water Use of Oasis Agriculture in Wuwei of Gansu Province
• Yi Liu, China Agricultural University, National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Efficient Water Use of Oasis Agriculture in Wuwei of Gansu Province

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

4-12-2024

Citation

Heliyon 10 (2024) e29688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29688

Comments

Open access.

Abstract

Accurate assessment of evapotranspiration (ETa) and crop coefficient (Kc) is crucial for optimizing irrigation practices in water-scarce regions. While satellite-based surface energy balance models offer a promising solution, their application to sparse canopies like apple orchards requires specific validation. This study investigated the spatial and temporal dynamics of ETa and Kc in a drip-irrigated ‘Pink Lady’ apple orchard under Mediterranean conditions over three growing seasons (2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15). The METRIC model, incorporating calibrated sub-models for leaf area index (LAI), surface roughness (Z_om), and soil heat flux (G), was employed to estimate ETa and Kc. These estimates were validated against field-scale Eddy Covariance data. Results indicated that METRIC overpredicted Kc and ETa with errors less than 10 %. These findings highlight the potential of the calibrated METRIC model as a valuable decision-making tool for irrigation management in apple orchards.