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Estimating crop coefficients from fraction of ground cover and height

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Abstract

The FAO-56 procedure for estimating the crop coefficient K c as a function of fraction of ground cover and crop height has been formalized in this study using a density coefficient K d. The density coefficient is multiplied by a basal K c representing full cover conditions, K cb full, to produce a basal crop coefficient that represents actual conditions of ET and vegetation coverage when the soil surface is dry. K cb full is estimated primarily as a function of crop height. K cb full can be adjusted for tree crops by multiplying by a reduction factor (F r) estimated using a mean leaf stomatal resistance term. The estimate for basal crop coefficient, K cb, is further modified for tree crops if some type of ground-cover exists understory or between trees. The single (mean) crop coefficient is similarly estimated and is adjusted using a K soil coefficient that represents background evaporation from wet soil. The K c estimation procedure was applied to the development periods for seven vegetable crops grown in California. The average root mean square error between estimated and measured K c was 0.13. The K c estimation procedure was also used to estimate K c during midseason periods of horticultural crops (trees and vines) reported in the literature. Values for mean leaf stomatal resistance and the F r reduction factor were derived that explain the literature K c values and that provide a consistent means to estimate K c over a broad range of fraction of ground cover.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Idaho, Idaho, USA

    Richard G. Allen

  2. Technical University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Luis S. Pereira

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  1. Richard G. Allen
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  2. Luis S. Pereira
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Correspondence to Richard G. Allen.

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Communicated by S. Ortega-Farias.

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Allen, R.G., Pereira, L.S. Estimating crop coefficients from fraction of ground cover and height. Irrig Sci 28, 17–34 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-009-0182-z

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