Agrohydrology

General description

The research area agrohydrology is dealing with climate, soil, and water and how these natural resources are managed in sustainable plant production. Focus is on physical states and processes in soil, plant and atmosphere in relation to:

• utilization of water and solar energy in plant dry matter production
• protection of soil quality, water resources, and the aquatic environment

Mathematical modelling is an important tool in analyzing the soil-plant-atmosphere system, e.g. analyses of cultivation strategies and scenarios. Much of this knowledge has been integrated into the Daisy soil plant atmosphere system model.

 

Main research areas

• The soil as a physical medium for plant growth. The soil as a reservoir and medium of transport of water, energy, gas, solutes, particles, and particle bound chemicals
• The atmosphere as a physical medium for plant growth. Transport of CO2 and water vapour in the atmosphere within and above the canopy. Radiation and energy balances.
• Water resources. Land use, plant production, precipitation, evapotranspiration, and water balance. Protection of surface- and groundwater.
• Technology: Soil tillage, irrigation, and drainage. Principles, methods, and effects on plant production, soil quality and water resources.
• System analysis and mathematical modelling. Soil-plant-atmosphere system dynamics as influenced by climatic conditions and agricultural management, e.g. effects on plant production, resource utilization, soil quality and losses of nutrients and other chemicals to the aquatic environment.