Balance Hidrico A Nivel Superficial
Balance Hidrico A Nivel Superficial
Precipitation plays a crucial role in the water cycle as it supplies water directly to plants and replenishes groundwater. Effective precipitation is the portion of rainfall stored in the soil's root zone to meet plant water needs. Two methods to estimate effective precipitation are: 1) The percentage method, which uses a fixed percentage of total precipitation to determine its effectiveness, and 2) The Soil Conservation Service method, which calculates effective precipitation based on specific thresholds for monthly totals, adjusting based on recorded rainfall and existing soil moisture levels .
Determining water demand for agriculture at a parcel level requires consideration of the crop's water needs to address the soil moisture deficit during its growing period. Factors include the crop schedule, which provides insight into sowing and growth patterns, economic and social aspects, and irrigation schedules. The crop schedule, or cédula de cultivo, is essential for evaluating total and partial cultivation areas, estimating production by crop type, and determining how water is allocated and distributed throughout the growing period. It integrates with meteorological data and advances optimal water resource management to ensure crop efficiency .
Methods to calculate evapotranspiration include the Tank Evaporimeter, Hargreaves, and FAO Penman-Monteith. The Tank Evaporimeter evaluates integrated effects of radiation, wind, temperature, and humidity on water surface evaporation. The Hargreaves method uses temperature as the primary variable but also considers humidity, latitude, and altitude. The FAO Penman-Monteith method is more comprehensive, incorporating net radiation, air temperature, wind speed, and vapor pressure deficit as primary factors. These methods facilitate understanding the different aspects of the climate affecting evapotranspiration rates .
The net irrigation requirement (LR) is determined by calculating the volume of water needed to replenish soil moisture removed by plant use and environmental losses. Factors influencing the efficiency of applied irrigation include soil characteristics, irrigation method, weather conditions, and the application rate. Water losses through evaporation, surface runoff, and deep percolation affect the efficiency, requiring precise calculations to ensure soil moisture in the root zone meets plant needs effectively .
The Reserve of Available Water (RAU) in soil refers to the volume of water the soil can store between field capacity and wilting point. Field capacity is the maximum moisture content soil can retain after excess water drains due to gravity, while the wilting point is the minimum moisture level at which plants can no longer extract water from the soil. RAU represents the optimal moisture range available for plant uptake, emphasizing the importance of maintaining soil moisture levels within these boundaries to support vegetation growth .
Water conservation in agriculture is crucial for sustaining soil moisture and supporting plant growth. It impacts soil structure positively by improving aggregate stability and preventing surface sealing, which enhances water infiltration rates. Conservation practices like maintaining crop residues on the soil surface are particularly beneficial in dry areas by preserving soil moisture. Over time, these practices can develop macroporosity in the soil, allowing it to function similarly to forest soils, reducing runoff, and increasing infiltration efficiency, contributing to better water management in arid regions .
Net water requirements (Nn) represent the exact volume needed to meet physiological crop needs, calculated based on actual evapotranspiration and effective precipitation. Total water needs (Nb) encompass Nn adjusted for system losses such as evaporation and runoff. Efficiency of water application is crucial in irrigation planning, as higher efficiency means less water is wasted, reducing Nb closer to Nn. Efficient systems ensure that applied water meets crop requirements with minimal loss, optimizing resource use and improving crop yields .
Maintaining soil aggregate stability reduces surface runoff by strengthening soil structure, preventing crust formation, and promoting water infiltration. Stable aggregates protect against erosion and enhance the soil's ability to retain moisture, crucial for effective water management in farming systems. By ensuring that water infiltrates rather than runs off, aggregate stability helps sustain soil moisture content, making the system more resilient to drought and capable of supporting healthy plant growth .
The water balance equation for a watershed applies the principle of mass conservation to the area, considering the inputs, outputs, and changes in storage. The equation is described as: INPUTS – OUTPUTS = STORAGE VARIATION. The main components include precipitation as the primary input, which varies spatially and temporally. Outputs consist of evapotranspiration, the process of water returning to the atmosphere through plant transpiration and soil evaporation, surface runoff, and infiltration into the soil. These components help determine the overall water availability in the watershed .
Climatic factors like precipitation, temperature, and wind, along with soil properties such as texture, structure, and porosity, significantly influence soil water content. Conservation agriculture improves soil moisture retention by maintaining crop residues on the surface, enhancing soil structure, and increasing infiltration, reducing erosion and surface sealing. These practices aid in sustaining soil moisture, ensuring plant roots have access to necessary water during critical growth phases, thus supporting overall agricultural productivity .