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The aim of this research was to evaluate the clumped model for estimating latent heat flux (LE) and actual evapotranspiration (ETa) over a non-water-stressed olive orchard. Additionally, submodels to compute the net radiation Rn, soil heat flux G, and canopy resistance were also included. For this objective, a database was used from an experimental unit inside a commercial superintensive drip-irrigated olive orchard located in the Pencahue Valley, Maule Region, Chile (35°23′S, 71°44′W; 96 m above sea level) during the 2009/10 and 2010/11 growing seasons. The evaluation was carried out using measurements of LE obtained from an eddy covariance (EC) system. In addition, estimated values of Rn, G, and were compared with ground-truth measurements from a four-way net radiometer, soil heat flux plates with soil thermocouples, and a portable porometer, respectively. Results indicated that the clumped model underestimated LE and ETa with errors of 11.0% and 3.0%, respectively. Values of the root-mean-square error (RMSE), mean bias error (MBE), and index of agreement dr for LE were 35 W m−2, −1.0 W m−2, and 0.96, while those for ETa were 0.48 mm day−1, 0.04 mm day−1, and 0.64, respectively. The submodels computed Rn and G with errors less than 6% and RMSE values less than 65 W m−2, while the Jarvis-type model predicted with RMSE = 41 s m−1 and MBE = 7.0 s m−1. Finally, a sensitivity analysis indicated that the ETa estimated by the clumped model was significantly affected by variations of ±30% in the values of the LAI and the minimum stomatal resistance rstmin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the partitioning of net radiation ( R) and actual evapotranspiration ( ET), measurements of R, sensible heat flux ( H), soil heat flux ( G), latent heat flux ( LE), reference evapotranspiration ( ET), transpiration ( T) and soil evaporation ( E) were taken during the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 growing seasons on a flat and uniform olive (cv. Arbequina) orchard, located in the Pencahue Valley, Región del Maule, Chile (35°23′ LS; 71°44′ LW; 96 m above sea level). Olive trees were trained on a triangular hedgerow system with a plant density of 1333 trees ha (superintensive). An eddy covariance system, sapflow sensors and microlysimeter were used to measure ET, T and E, respectively. Results indicated that the eddy covariance measurements showed a lack of the energy balance closure of 12.8 %. Values of LE, H and G were between 28-47, 34-68 and 2-6 % of R, respectively, while ratios of T and E to ET ranged between 0.64-0.74 and 0.26-0.36, respectively. During two growing seasons, the single crop coefficient ( K = ET/ ET) was between 0.27 and 0.66, while the dual crop coefficient ( T/ ET + E/ ET) ranged between 0.26 and 0.56. According to these results, H and T were the main component of R and ET, respectively, for the particular conditions of the drip-irrigated olive orchard with a fractional cover of 30 % and wetted area of 4.5 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to drought intensification in Mediterranean-type climates, raspberry growers need to implement irrigation scheduling to save water without decreases in yield and fruit quality. A study was performed to evaluate the effects of four irrigation levels on yield (Y), fruit number (FM2), fruit weight (FW), water productivity (WP), fruit quality (titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids (SS), weight to volume ratio (WV)), midday stem water potential (Ψ stem), and water stress integral (WSI) in a furrow-irrigated red raspberry (Rubus ideaus L. 'Heritage') orchard. An experimental plot was established within a commercial raspberry orchard located in the Colbún valley, Maule Region, Chile, during the 2012/13 and 2013/14 growing seasons. The irrigation treatments were 125 (T 1, farmer irrigation management), 100 (T 2), 75 (T 3) and 50% (T 4) of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The results showed significant differences among treatments for Y and FM2, with the highest and lowest values observed under the T 3 and T 1 treatments, respectively. The T 4 treatment had the highest values of WSI and WP compared to the other treatments. The effects of irrigation levels were not significant for SS and WV, but the lowest TA was observed under the T 1 treatment. Results suggested that water application based on the 75% of ETc associated with Ψ stem > −1.0 MPa was the most appropriate irrigation strategy for the furrow-irrigated red raspberry orchard because it had the highest Y (9.25 kg m−2) and saved water by 20–28% compared to the 125% and 100% ETc treatments. • Over- and under irrigation reduced significantly yield in a furrow-irrigated red raspberry orchard. • Raspberry plants irrigated at 75% of actual evapotranspiration (ETc) had the highest yield and water productivity. • Raspberry plants irrigated at 75% of ETc had midday stem water potential (Ψ stem) > −1.0 MPa. • Ψ stem values and 75% of ETc seem to be an appropriate irrigation management strategy in furrow-irrigated raspberry orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]