Understanding the various processes that drive plant growth
is critical for successful farming. Evapotranspiration (ET) is one such process
that has a major impact on agricultural productivity. Often overlooked, ET
plays a pivotal role in maintaining soil moisture levels and sustaining plant
health.
Modern technologies, in particular remote sensing and
accurate hyperlocal weather data, allow farmers to minimize the time and effort
previously required to calculate and continuously monitor the level of crop evapotranspiration,
especially in large fields. We’ll go through what evapotranspiration is, define
how it affects crop yields, and discuss the techniques for making it easier to
calculate and factor into your irrigation plans.
What Is Evapotranspiration?
The term “evapotranspiration” refers to the total amount of
water evaporating and transpiring from the Earth’s surface. Evaporation of
water from the soil surface, the capillary fringe above the groundwater table,
and surface water bodies are all components of ET. Transpiration, the process
through which water moves from the soil through plants and into the air, is
also part of the evapotranspiration system.
Rain is water that falls from the sky; ET is water that
rises from the earth; thus, you can think of evapotranspiration as the opposite
of rain. Clouds formed by the condensation of water vapor from evaporation and
transpiration eventually release their load of precipitation as rain or snow.
ET is second only to precipitation in terms of importance to water resource
management and determining how much water should be applied to farms through
irrigation.
How does potential
evapotranspiration differ from actual evapotranspiration?
Potential evapotranspiration refers to the capability to
evaporate and transpire water from the surface when water is abundant. Actual
evapotranspiration, on the other hand, refers to the amount of water lost from
the surface owing to evaporation and transpiration. Both potential and actual
ET can be used for agricultural applications.
Process Of
Evapotranspiration
Two components of the evapotranspiration process,
evaporation, and transpiration, are worth exploring in more detail. Evaporation
is the transition of water from a liquid to a vaporous or gaseous state. Solar
energy causes this effect on bodies of water as well as moist soil. When the
water molecules absorb enough heat, they gain the energy necessary to leave the
liquid’s surface and enter the air as vapor. This mechanism plays a crucial
role in bringing moisture from the earth up into the atmosphere.
Transpiration, the release of water vapor into the
atmosphere, is made possible by the microscopic pores (stomata) on the stems,
leaves, and other aerial plant parts. During this part of the evapotranspiration
process, the plant transports water from the ground through its root system to
its aerial parts, where it evaporates. So, we may distinguish three distinct
stages of transpiration:
* Roots draw moisture up from the ground;
* Water travels up through the plant, performing its vital functions along the way;
* Stomata “exhales” moisture into the atmosphere.
Why Is
Evapotranspiration So Important In Agriculture?
Farmers who take plant evapotranspiration into account may
optimize water consumption and boost crop yields while contributing to global
food security. Estimates of ET are crucial in the following areas of modern
agricultural cultivation and water management:
Optimizing irrigation. The use of evapotranspiration data to
fine-tune irrigation scheduling helps avoid wasteful overwatering and protect
precious water supplies. Farmers can cut down on their water use and energy
bills by using precision irrigation based on ET rates.
Boosting crop health and productivity. Keeping an eye on ET
helps ensure appropriate soil moisture, which is necessary for healthy root
growth and nutrient uptake as well as enhanced crop yields.
Preparing for a drought. Since evapotranspiration frequently
increases during droughts, with ET data at hand you can create more effective
drought management programs and better allocate water resources in the event of
dry spells.
Water stress control. Monitoring ET readings, which open up
the plants’ water needs, helps mitigate water stress and increase crop
resilience.
Raising the level of agricultural precision. By combining ET
data with other information, farmers may tailor their field activities to the
exact needs of each crop and soil type.
What is the role of
evapotranspiration in the water cycle?
Without evapotranspiration, the water cycle would be
ruptured. Understanding the role plants play in ET and the general water cycle
is crucial, especially in arid regions where water conservation is of the
utmost importance. Since plants cool the soil, having more of them might reduce
evaporation. They also serve as windbreaks, keeping moist air closer to the
ground. On the other hand, more plant cover may increase soil moisture loss
through transpiration.
Factors That Affect
Evapotranspiration
The main determinants of ET are the local climate and terrain, as well as the plant’s specific physiology. Let’s look at each one and its influence in more detail.
Type of soil. The composition and structure of soil
determine its ability to retain water and its evapotranspiration properties.
Soils with a high proportion of sand or gravel have a lower capacity to hold
water and will lose more of it to evaporation than, say, loamy or clay ones.
Air temperature. The air temperature is a known factor in
the evapotranspiration process. As the temperature rises, so does the air’s
moisture-carrying capacity. Furthermore, increasing the amount of heat energy
applied to water accelerates its vaporization, which raises the ET rate.
Solar radiation. There is more to solar radiation than mere
heat. Variations in energy, frequency, and albedo, all of which affect
evapotranspiration rate, are site- and time-specific. These are important
aspects to take into account, but quantifying them without technologically
advanced methods and tools can be difficult.
Humidity. Relative humidity (RH) is the amount of water
vapor that the air can retain. High relative humidity (as seen, for instance,
after rainfall) limits the amount of water vapor the air can absorb, resulting
in a decrease in ET. Reduced humidity increases evapotranspiration because the
air can potentially hold more moisture.
Plant cover. Plants adapt to their environments in different
ways. Some are better at storing water for use during droughts, while others
lose moisture far more quickly. The evapotranspiration value also depends on
the plant’s age and health conditions. The deeper the roots, the longer crops
can survive without rain or watering. Because of physiological differences
between different types of crops, ET rates vary a lot, calling for specific
approaches to irrigation.
Wind speed. Since wind is usually what propels both
evaporation and transpiration, it plays a crucial role in soil moisture
evapotranspiration. Strong winds blow away the layer of damp air that forms
over crop-covered surfaces, increasing the ET rate. The wind’s effect on the
diffusion of vapor from plant pores also contributes to increased transpiration
rates. A decrease in ET may occur, though, if extremely strong, dry winds
prevent water vapor from diffusion.
See details…
Source:
Online/GFMM
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