Measurement and simulation of the leaf interceptation loss of water on maize crop

Abstract

With the objective of measuring leaf interception loss of water (itp) on maize, four plots in a total of ten, were covered with plastic to avoid infiltration of water in the soil. The measured itp data were obtained from eight artificial irrigations (sprinkler) and 21 rainfalls. The amount of water corresponding to the rainfalls and irrigations were 453.2 mm. and the interception loss was 141.0 mm. The itp was also simulated for the whole cycle of the crop by a potential and quadratic model, obtained from the measured itp data. The total values of the simulated data were 243,2 and 267,4 mm. for the potential and quadratic models, respectively, corresponding to 25,8 and 28,4% of the total rainfall. The simulated values corresponding to the 21 rainfalls and eight irrigations were 137,0 and 141,0 mm. for the potential and quadratic models. The results presented led to the recommendation that the interception loss of water due to the irrigation or rainfall has to be considered in planning and managing irrigation projects.