Calibration of the surface renewal method (SR) under different meteorological conditions in an avocado orchard
Date
2020-05-19
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
The surface renewal method (SR) allows estimating the sensible heat flux (H) using
high-frequency thermocouples. Traditionally, SR has been compared and calibrated using standard
instruments such as the Eddy covariance system (EC). Calibration involves correcting H measured
with SR (H’SR) by means of the calibration factor (α). However, several studies show that α is
not constant and could depend on canopy architecture, measurement height, atmospheric stability,
and weather conditions. In avocado orchards, there is not enough information about energy fluxes
and the application of the SR method. Therefore, the objective of this study is to calibrate the SR
method in a mature avocado orchard considering the effect of meteorological conditions on the
determination of α. The components of the surface energy balance were measured using an EC
system in a commercial avocado orchard (cv. Hass) located in the Aconcagua Valley, Valparaíso
Region, Chile. To evaluate the effect of the meteorological conditions on the determination of α, the
dataset was classified into nine categories based on solar radiation and wind intensity. The results
show that α varies according to meteorological conditions, with significant differences for cloudy
days. The use of the variable α reduced the error in estimating H, so, this methodology can be used
to have a more precise approximation of the energy balance and therefore to the water requirements.
Description
CITATION: Morán, Andrés et al. 2020. Calibration of the surface renewal method (SR) under different meteorological conditions in an avocado orchard. Agronomy, 10(5):730, doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10050730.
The original publication is available at: https://www.mdpi.com
The original publication is available at: https://www.mdpi.com
Keywords
Meteorological classification, Eddy covariance system, Energy balance, Surface renewal method (SR, Avocado orchards
Citation
Morán, Andrés et al. 2020. Calibration of the surface renewal method (SR) under different meteorological conditions in an avocado orchard. Agronomy, 10(5):730, doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10050730