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Improved descriptions of soil hydrology in crop models: The elephant in the room?

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  • Jarvis, Nicholas
  • Larsbo, Mats
  • Lewan, Elisabet
  • Garré, Sarah

Abstract

Soil-crop simulation models are widely used to assess the impacts of soil management and climate change on soil water balance, solute transport and crop production. In this context, it is important that hydrological processes in the soil-crop system are accurately modelled. We suggest here that empirical treatments of soil water flow, water uptake by plant roots and transpiration limit the applicability of crop models and increase prediction errors. We further argue that this empiricism is to a large extent unnecessary, as parsimonious physics-based descriptions of these water flow processes in the soil-crop system are now available. Recent reviews and opinion articles, whilst strongly advocating the need for improvements to crop models, fail to mention the significant role played by accurate treatments of soil hydrology. It seems to us that empirical models of soil water flow have become the elephant in the room.

Suggested Citation

  • Jarvis, Nicholas & Larsbo, Mats & Lewan, Elisabet & Garré, Sarah, 2022. "Improved descriptions of soil hydrology in crop models: The elephant in the room?," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agisys:v:202:y:2022:i:c:s0308521x22001135
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2022.103477
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Heinen, Marius & Mulder, Martin & van Dam, Jos & Bartholomeus, Ruud & de Jong van Lier, Quirijn & de Wit, Janine & de Wit, Allard & Hack - ten Broeke, Mirjam, 2024. "SWAP 50 years: Advances in modelling soil-water-atmosphere-plant interactions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 298(C).
    2. Malmquist, Louise & Barron, Jennie, 2023. "Improving spatial resolution in soil and drainage data to combine natural and anthropogenic water functions at catchment scale in agricultural landscapes," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).

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