Abstract
In undulating or sloping land, water distribution in soil has a major influence on crop yield through stresses on vegetation. It is difficult to predict the impacts, however, so a crop model is required to simulate topography-related horizontal redistribution of summer precipitation and its effect on yield. This study uses a potato model (POMOD), operating with the concept of meteorologically possible yield (MPY). It was supplemented to assess precipitation redistribution by runoff on a sloping surface. Slope incline, soil moisture and rainfall intensity were environmental parameters, with rainfall intensities replaced empirically with more convenient daily rainfall sums. Differences in the water balance, as compared to a non-sloping level surface, were computed for three different parts of a notional slope 3°. Modelled differences from long-term meteorological data allowed computation of comparative long-term series of MPY in two climatologically different localities in Estonia. These were the generally moister Tallinn and the frequently dry Kuressaare regions. The locations responded differently, but there was a significant influence in both of slope on potato yield. In the frequently dry Kuressaare, yield was limited by water deficiency, as was characterized by the change in MPY through slope. However, the moister Tallinn had the worst growing conditions at the foothill due to excess water. Tallinn had the greatest topography-related differences, leading to the conclusion that excess water causes more loss in potato yield than drought in Estonia. Events of extreme rainfall drive these losses.
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Saue, T., Kadaja, J. Modelling crop yield response to precipitation redistribution on slopes. Biologia 64, 502–506 (2009). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11756-009-0103-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11756-009-0103-x