Development of RZ-SHAW for simulating plastic mulch effects on soil water, soil temperature, and surface energy balance in a maize field

A shortcoming of the RZ-SHAW model (A hybrid version of Root Zone Water Quality Model and The Simultaneous Heat and Water Model) is that it cannot simulate the plastic mulching technology which is widely used in arid areas. Our objectives in this study were to develop RZ-SHAW to include a new plasti...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Agricultural water management 2022-07, Vol.269, p.107666, Article 107666
Main Authors: Chu, Xiaosheng, Flerchinger, Gerald N., Ma, Liwang, Fang, Quanxiao, Malone, Robert W., Yu, Qiang, He, Jianqiang, Wang, Naijiang, Feng, Hao, Zou, Yufeng
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Energy balance
Plastic mulch
RZ-SHAW
Soil temperature
Soil water content
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A shortcoming of the RZ-SHAW model (A hybrid version of Root Zone Water Quality Model and The Simultaneous Heat and Water Model) is that it cannot simulate the plastic mulching technology which is widely used in arid areas. Our objectives in this study were to develop RZ-SHAW to include a new plastic module, and to evaluate the model’s performance over three years of maize (Zea mays L.) production in China. A new plastic module was added to compute changes in the shortwave and longwave radiation transfer, turbulent heat and vapor transfer from the surface, and the energy and water balances in the system associated with a plastic mulch layer. The modified RZ-SHAW model can adequately simulate soil water (0.017 cm3 cm−3 ≤ RMSE ≤ 0.030 cm3 cm−3) and capture the evaporation reduction and transpiration increase under plastic mulch. The model overestimated the increased soil temperatures under plastic mulch (2.3 ℃ over the 100-cm profile) compared to the measured data (1.4 ℃). Overall, the revised RZ-SHAW model adequately simulated soil water and heat exchange under plastic mulch conditions. The modified RZ-SHAW model can be used as an effective decision tool for management optimization in plastic mulched cropland. •A new plastic mulch module was developed for the RZ-SHAW model.•The revised model improved soil water and temperature simulation under plastic mulch.•The model captures evaporation reduction and transpiration increase for plastic mulch.
ISSN:0378-3774
1873-2283
DOI:10.1016/j.agwat.2022.107666