Crop growth model parameters of 19 summer vegetable cultivars for use in mechanistic irrigation scheduling models

Abstract

Mechanistic, generic crop, irrigation scheduling models require crop-specific growth parameters which are not readily available for many crops and conditions. The objective of this work was to determine growth parameters for 19 summer vegetable cultivars, and to calibrate the SWB (soil-water balance) model. These vegetable crops were grown in a field trial at Roodeplaat (Gauteng, South Africa) during the 1996/97 summer rainy season. Weather data were recorded with an automatic weather station, phenological stages monitored and growth analyses carried out weekly. Fractional interception of radiation was measured with a sunfleck ceptometer and soil water content was monitored with a neutron water meter. Field measurements were used to generate a database of crop water and radiation use efficiencies, specific leaf areas, stem-leaf partitioning parameters, canopy extinct ion coefficients, maximum rooting depths and crop heights, as well as thermal time requirements for crop development.

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