Modelling competition for water in intercrops: theory and comparison with field experiments

摘要: A knowledge of plant interactions above and below ground with respect to water is essential understand the performance intercrop systems. In this study, a physically based framework proposed analyse competition for soil in case intercropped plants. radiative transfer model, associated transpiration-partitioning model on modified form Penman-Monteith equation, was used estimate evaporative demand maize (Zea mays L.) sorghum ( Sorghum vulgare R.) intercrops. order soil–root transport, root potential each species calculated so as minimise difference between amount taken up by species. characterisation micrometeorological conditions (net radiation, photosynthetically active air temperature humidity, rain), relations (leaf area index, leaf potential, stomatal conductance, sap flow measurements), well two-component systems balance (soil–root impacts, evaporation) carried out during 7-day experiment densities about 4.2 m-2 both sorghum. Comparison measured transpiration values shows that slopes versus predicted regression lines hourly were 0.823 0.778 sorghum, respectively. Overall trends variation volumetric content profiles are also reasonably described. This could be useful analysing where several present under various environmental conditions.