Application of Turbulent Transport Techniques for Quantifying Whole Canopy Evapotranspiration in Large Agricultural Structures: Measurement and Theory

Original objectives and revisions The original objectives of this research, as stated in the approved proposal were: 1. To establish guidelines for the use of turbulent transport techniques as accurate and reliable tool for continuous measurements of whole canopy ET and other scalar fluxes (e.g. heat and CO2) in large agricultural structures. 2. To conduct a detailed experimental study of flow patterns and turbulence characteristics in agricultural structures. 3. To derive theoretical models of air flow and scalar fluxes in agricultural structures that can guide the interpretation of TT measurements for a wide range of conditions. All the objectives have been successfully addressed within the project. The only modification was that the study focused on screenhouses only, while it was originally planned to study large greenhouses as well. This was decided due to the large amount of field and theoretical work required to meet the objectives within screenhouses. Background In agricultural structures such as screenhouses and greenhouses, evapotranspiration (ET) is currently measured using lysimeters or sap flow gauges. These measurements provide ET estimates at the single-plant scale that must then be extrapolated, often statistically or empirically, to the whole canopy for irrigation scheduling purposes. On the other hand, turbulent transport techniques, like the eddy covariance, have become the standard for measuring whole canopy evapotranspiration in the open, but their applicability to agricultural structures has not yet been established. The subject of this project is the application of turbulent transport techniques to estimate ET for irrigation scheduling within large agricultural structures. Major conclusions and achievements The major conclusions of this project are: (i) the eddy covariance technique is suitable for reliable measurements of scalar fluxes (e.g., evapotranspiration, sensible heat, CO2) in most types of large screenhouses under all climatic conditions tested. All studies resulted with fair energy balance closures; (ii) comparison between measurements and theory show that the model is capable in reliably predicting the turbulent flow characteristics and surface fluxes within screenhouses; (iii) flow characteristics within the screenhouse, like flux-variance similarity and turbulence intensity were valid for the application of the eddy covariance technique in screenhouses of relatively dilute screens used for moderate shading and wind breaking. In more dense screens, usually used for insect exclusions, development of turbulent conditions was marginal; (iv) installation of the sensors requires that the system’s footprint will be within the limits of the screenhouse under study, as is the case in the open. A footprint model available in the literature was found to be reliable in assessing the footprint under screenhouse conditions. Implications, both scientific and agricultural The study established for the first time, both experimentally and theoretically, the use of the eddy covariance technique for flux measurements within agricultural screenhouses. Such measurements, along with reliable theoretical models, will enable more accurate assessments of crop water use which may lead to improved crop water management and increased water use efficiency of screenhouse crops.