Integrating crop models and NDVI improves field-scale evapotranspiration estimates for irrigation management.
Accurate field-scale evapotranspiration (ET) estimation is essential for efficient irrigation management. This research integrates the CropSyst simulation model with satellite-derived NDVI data to estimate green canopy cover and improve on-farm ET predictions. The enhanced model, CropSyst-W, was evaluated against precision weighing lysimeter measurements at the USDA-ARS Bushland, Texas facility and compared with satellite-based energy balance models EEFlux and OpenET.
Results show that CropSyst-W demonstrated statistically better overall performance and lower systematic bias than EEFlux and OpenET when estimating ET across multiple irrigation treatments and growing seasons. By separating soil evaporation and transpiration using satellite-informed canopy cover, the model improves process representation while retaining crop growth and soil water balance detail.
Although uncertainties in ET estimation remain, findings suggest CropSyst-W can support operational irrigation scheduling, deficit irrigation management, and assessment of crop water stress under both irrigated and rainfed conditions. The approach highlights the value of crop model–data fusion for improving agricultural water management decisions.
This work was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, project #1016467.
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Authors
Stockle, C., Liu, M., Kadam, S., Marek, G., and Colaizzi, P.
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Suggested Citation
Stockle, C., Liu, M., Kadam, S., Evett, S., Marek, G., Colaizzi, P. (2024). Crop Model-Data Fusion for On-Farm Estimation of Crop Evapotranspiration. Technology for Trade Research Highlight. Washington State University.
Year Published
2024
Areas of Focus
Agricultural Technology, Climate & Environment, and Water Resources & Policy
Topics
Climate Change, Natural Resources, Production Systems, and Water Resources
Collaborators
- Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth
