Sensitivity Analysis of Nonlinear Model Parameters in a Multilayer Root Zone
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 19, Issue 2
Abstract
A numerical model is developed for simulating soil moisture movement for a multilayer crop root zone in subtemperate-subhumid agro-climates. Water dynamics is used for a nonuniform root distribution pattern to compute the root extraction rate by plants in a moisture-scarce environment. The root uptake function is incorporated in governing the soil-moisture equation. Sensitivity analysis (SA) has been carried out to evaluate the relative importance of model input parameters in predictions of moisture uptake by plants. The paper describes the results of sensitivity analysis of model parameters for a maize crop and their spatial dimension. An iterative procedure has been used for the sensitivity analysis. The model was run for a range of values ( and from base value) of different model parameters to obtain plant moisture uptake. Results indicate the model is least sensitive to saturated moisture content (), coefficient (), field capacity (FC), and permanent wilting point (PWP). The model is sensitive to residual moisture content (), root uptake model parameters () and (), and saturated hydraulic conductivity () since variation in these parameters has significant impact on model output.
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Acknowledgments
The authors are highly thankful to the Department of Civil Engineering, NIT, Hamirpur and Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Dr. Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan for providing all facilities while conducting this study.
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Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 19 • Issue 2 • February 2014
Pages: 462 - 471
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 21, 2012
Accepted: Feb 6, 2013
Published online: Feb 9, 2013
Discussion open until: Jul 9, 2013
Published in print: Feb 1, 2014
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