Paper

A Physically Based Microscopic Model of Root-Water Uptake


Authors:
Manoj K. Trivedi; Deepak Kashyap; Ajay Gairola
Abstract
The present study involves development of a microscopic numerical model for simulating radial and vertical moisture flow towards plant root, root-water uptake and finally flow through the plant to the atmosphere. The model essentially comprises a numerical solution of the Richard’s equation in axis-symmetric polar co-ordinate system by finite difference method. The simulation of the subsequent water movement (from root to canopy and from canopy to atmosphere) is accomplished indirectly through a boundary condition at the root-soil interface. This boundary condition is derived by invoking the meteorological conditions prevailing over the plant leaf surface, and a plant conductivity parameter (plant transmissivity) is defined herein. The model provides distribution of soil moisture content, and the root-water uptake at discrete times. The plant transmissivity has been estimated for wheat crop.
Keywords
Root-Water Uptake; Microscopic Model; Richard’s Equation; Transpiration
StartPage
54
EndPage
67
Doi
10.18005/JAEB0103002
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