Water is a scarce resource used by various stakeholders. Agriculture is one of the users of this resource especially for growing plants. Plants need to take up carbon dioxide to prepare their own food. For this purpose plants have stomatal openings. These same openings are used for transpiration. Quantifying transpiration is important for efficient water resource management and crop production because it is closely related to dry matter production. Transpiration could be measured using a number of methods or calculated indirectly through quantification of the soil water balance components using environmental instruments. The use of models such as the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT v3.5) is, however, much easier than environmental instruments. Nowadays, with increased capabilities of computers, the use of crop simulation modelling has become a common practice for various applications. But it is important that models, such as DSSAT v3.5, be calibrated and verified before being used for various applications such as long-term risk assessment, evaluation of cultural practices and other applications. In this study the model inputs have been collected first Then the model was calibrated and verified. Next sensitivitY analysis was carried to observe the model behavior to changes in inputs. Finally the model has been applied for long-term risk assessment and evaluation of cultural practices. In this study, the data collected formed the basis forthe minimum dataset needed for running the DSSAT v3.5 model. In addition, the factory given transmission of shading material over a tomato crop was compared to actual measurements. Missing weather data (solar irradiance, minimum and maximum air temperature and rainfall) were completed after checking that it was homogeneous to measurements from nearby automatic weather station. It was found that factory-given transmission value of 0.7 of the shade cloth was different from the actual one of 0.765. So this value was used for conversion of solar irradiance measured outside the shade cloth to solar irradiance inside the shade cloth. Conventional laboratory procedures were used for the analysis of soil physical and chemical properties. Soil water content limits were determined using texture and bulk density regression based equations. Other model inputs were calculated using the DSSAT model. Crop management inputs were also documented for creation of the experimental details file. The DSSATv3.5 soil water balance model was calibrated for soil, plant and weather conditions at Ukulinga by modifying some of its inputs and then simulations of the soil water balance components were evaluated against actual measurements. For this purpose half of the data available was used for calibration and the other half for verification. Model simulations of soil water content (150 to 300 mm and 450 to 600 mm) improved significantly after calibration. In addition, simulations of leaf area index (LA!) were satisfactory. Simulated evapotranspiration (E1) had certain deviations from the measured ET because the latter calculated ET by multiplying the potential ET with constant crop multiplier so-called the crop coefficient. Sensitivity analysis and long-term risk assessments for yield, runoff and drainage and other model outputs were carried out for soil, plant and weather conditions at Ukulinga. For this purpose, some of the input parameters were varied individually to determine the effect on seven model output parameters. In addition, long-term weather data was used to simulate yield, biomass at harvest, runoff and drainage for various initial soil water content values. The sensitivity analysis gave results that conform to the current understanding of the soil-plant atmosphere system. The long-term assessment showed that it is risky to grow tomatoes during the winter season at Ukulinga irrespective of the initial soil water content unless certain measures are taken such as the use of mulching to protect the plants from frost. The CROPGRO-Soya bean model was used to evaluate the soil water balance and gro'W1:h routines for soil, plant and weather conditions at Cedara. In addition, cultural practices such as row spacing, seeding rate and cultivars were also evaluated using longterm weather data. Simulations of soil water content were unsatisfactory even after calibration of some of the model parameters. Other model parameters such as LAI, yield and flowering date had satisfactory agreement with observed values. Results from this study suggest that the model is sensitive to weather and cultural practices such as seeding rates, row spacing and cultivar maturity groups. The general use of decision support systems is limited by various factors. Some of the factors are: unclear definition of clients/end users; no end user input prior to or during the development of the DSS; DSS does not solve the problems that the client is experiencing; DSS do not match their decision-making style; producers see no reason to change the current management practices; DSS does not provide benefit over current decision-making system; limited computer ownership amongst producers; lack of field testing; producers do not trust the output due to the lack of understanding of the underlying theories of the models utilized; cannot access the necessary data inputs; lack of technical support; lack of training in the development ofDSS software; marketing and support constraints; institutional resistances; short shelf-life of DSS software; technical constraints, user constraints and other constraints. For successful use of DSS, the abovementioned constraints have to be solved before their useful impacts on farming systems could be realized. This study has shown that the DSSAT v3.5 model simulations of the soil water balance components such as evapotranspiration and soil water content were unsatisfactory while simulations of plant parameters such as leaf area index, yield and phonological stages were simulate to a satisfactory standard. Sensitivity analysis gave results that conform to the current understanding of the soil-plant -atmosphere system. Model outputs such as yield and phonological stages were found to sensitive to weather and cultural practices such as seeding rates, row spacing and cultivar maturity groups. It ha been further investigated that the model could be used for risk assessment in various crop management practices and evaluation of cultural practices. However, before farmers can use DSSAT v3.5, several constraints have to be solved. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

Agricultural scientists are faced with the challenge of producing enough food for the increasing world population. Hence the need to develop tools for managing soil and plant systems to increase food production in order to meet the world food demand in the future. Crop simulation models have become promising tools in predicting yield and related components fi'om a set of weather, soil, plant and management data inputs. This study describes the estimation of solar radiant density, a crucial input in crop simulation models; calibration and validation of a soil-plant growth simulator, CropSyst, for management purposes; and generation of weather data for assessment of crop production under possible climate changes in the future. Daily solar radiant density, an input required by most crop simulation models, is infiequently observed in many stations. This may prevent application of crop simulation models for specific locations. Long-term data records of daily minimum and maximum air temperatures, precipitation, sunshine hours and/or solar radiant density were obtained for Cedara, Durban, Seven Oaks and Ukulinga in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Solar radiant density was estimated fi'om sunshine hours using the Angstrom equation and ten other models that involved daily minimum and maximum air temperatures and/or precipitation along with extratelTestrial radiant density. Coefficients for the Angstrom equation and one of the other ten models were specifically developed for South African conditions; the remaining models required fitting coefficients using the available data for all locations. The models were evaluated using (i) conventional statistics that involved, root mean square elTor (RMSE) along with its systematic and unsystematic components, slope, intercept, index of agreement (d), and coefficient of determination (R\ and (ii) a fuzzy expert system that involved a single modular indicator (Ira d) aggregated from the modules of accuracy (aggregation of the indices relative RMSE, model efficiency and I-student probability), con'elation (Pearson's correlation coefficient) and pattem (aggregation of pattem index vs day of year and pattem index vs minimum air temperature). For each index, two functions describing membership to the fuzzy subsets Favourable (F) and Unfavourable (V) were defined. The expelt system calculates the modules according to both the degree of membership and a set of decision rules. Solar radiant density estimated from sunshine hours for the Durban station resulted in R2 , RMSE (MJ m,2) and d index of 0.90, 2.32 and 0.97 respectively. In the absence of observed solar radiant density data, estimations from sunshine hours were used for derivation of coefficients as well as evaluation of the models. For Durban, the performance of the models was generally poor. For Cedara, Seven Oakes and Ukulinga two of the models resulted in a high d index and smallest systematic RMSE. The solar radiant density estimated from each model was also used as an input to simulate maize grain yields using the soil-plant growth simulator, CropSyst. The models were ranked according to their ability to simulate grain yields that match those obtained from using the observed solar radiant density. The rankings according to crop simulation, conventional statistics and expert system were compared. The CropSyst model was also evaluated for its ability to simulate crop water-use of fallow and cropped (oats, Italian ryegrass, rye and maize) plots at Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Soil characteristics, initial soil water conditions, irrigation and weather data were inputted to CropSyst. Crop input parameters for oats, Italian ryegrass and rye were used, with little modifications, as determined from field experiments conducted at Kromdraai open cast mine, Mpumalanga province, South Africa. Crop input parameters for maIze were either determined fi'om field experiments or taken from CropSyst crop input parameters documentation and adjusted within a narrow specification range of values as dictated by CropSyst. The findings indicated that CropSyst was generally able to simulate reasonably well the water-use of fallow and cropped (oats, Italian ryegI°ass, rye and maize) plots; leaf area index and crop evapotranspiration of rye; and grain yield and developmental stages of maize. The validated CropSyst model was also used to simulate timing and amount of irrigation water, and investigate incipient water stress in oats, Italian ryegrass and rye. The CropSyst model was used to investigate potential effects of future climate changes on the productivity of maize grain yields at Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The effect of planting date (local planting date, a fortnight earlier and a fortnight later) was also included in the study. A 30-year baseline weather data input series were generated by a stochastic weather generator, ClimGen, using 30 years of observed weather data (l971 to 2000). The generated weather data series was compared with the observed for its distributions of daily rainfall and wet and dry series, monthly total rainfall and its variances, daily and monthly mean and variance of precipitation, minimum and maximum air temperature, and solar radiant density. Four months of the year failed to reproduce distributions of wet and dry series, daily precipitation, and monthly variances of precipitation of the observed weather data series. In addition, Penman-Monteith reference evaporation (ETa) was calculated using the observed and generated data series. Cumulative probability function of ETa calculated using the generated weather data series followed the observed distribution well. Moreover, maize grain yields were simulated using the generated and observed weather data series with local, a fortnight earlier and a fortnight later planting dates. The mean simulated grain yields for the respective planting dates were not statistically different from each other; the grain yields simulated using the generated weather data had significantly smaller variance than the grain yields simulated using the observed weather data series. When the generated weather data series was used an input, the early planting date as compared to the locally practiced and late planting dates resulted in significantly greater simulated grain yields. The grain yields simulated using the observed weather data for the early and local planting dates were not statistically different from each other. The baseline period was modified by synthesized climate projections to create future climatic scenarios. The climate changes considered corresponded to doubling of [C02] from 350 to 700 ~t1 ,-I without air temperature and water regime changes, and doubling of [C02] accompanied by increases in mean air temperature and precipitation changes of 2 (lC and 10%, 2 (le and 20%>, 4 °c and 10%, and 4 (lC and 20% respectively. Solar radiant density was also estimated from daily air temperature range for all scenarios that involved change in mean air temperature. In addition, input crop parameters of radiation-use and biomass transpiration efficiencies were modified for maize, in CropSyst, to accommodate changes in elevated levels of [C02]. Equivalent doubling of [C02], without air temperature or water regime changes, resulted in increased simulated grain yields as compared to the baseline period. Adding 2 QC to the mean daily temperature and 10% to the daily precipitation of a [C02] elevated atmosphere reduced the grain yield but still kept it above the level of the baseline period grain yield. Adding 4 QC to the mean daily temperature and 10% to the daily precipitation fLllther decreased the yield. Increasing the daily precipitation by 20% instead of 10% did not change the simulated grain yield as compared to the 10% increments. Early planting date, for all scenarios, also resulted in higher yields, but the relative increment in grain yield was higher for the late planting dates with scenarios that involved increment in mean air temperature. In general, this study confi1l11ed that doubling of [C02] increases yield but the accompanied increase in mean air temperature reduces yield. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

Accurate estimation of reference evaporation is necessary for the estimation of actual evaporation for irrigation and water resource management purposes. Estimation of reference evaporati~n using the Penman-Monteith method using automatic weather station (AWS)measurements requires the available energy to be accurately estimated. The available energy of short grass of 0.12 m was measured using a component net radiometer and soil heat flux plate measurements at the Faculty of Sciences and Agricultural (Agrometeorological station, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, latitude ~29.79 oS, longitude ~ 30.95 °E, altitude ~ 650 m). In an attempt to evaluate the accuracy of commonly used procedures of estimating available energy, estimates of net irradiance (from net long wave irradiance and reflection coefficient estimate) and soil heat flux density were compared to the actual measurements. The linear approximation of atmosphere minus crop surface emittance based on air temperature was compared with measured net long wave irradiance and similar empirical formulations. The underestimation of the measured net long wave irradiance was observed using the linear approach. Furthermore, a plot of measured clear sky net long wave irradiance and air temperature showed a logarithmic relation. The estimated reflected solar irradiance was overestimated for the reference crop. The measured soil heat flux density was observed to vary not only with net irradiance but also with cloudiness, wind speed and soil water content. The soil heat flux density measured with plates was noticed to follow the measured net irradiance. The sensitivity of Penman-Monteith latent heat estimate was investigated for the use of estimated reflection coefficient and soil heat flux density as well as ignored soil heat flux density. Results showed the latent heat estimate to be greater when soil heat flux density was ignored. Reduced set assumptions of Penman-Monteith were assessed usmg the microclimatic measurements. The grass reference evaporation estimate using estimated water vapour pressure from the pervious day minimum air temperature and approximated wind speed were found to be seasonal and procedure dependent. The hourly-reduced set estimate of reference evaporation was in good agreement with the grass Penman-Monteith estimate. The estimated daily water vapour pressure underestimated the daily grass Penman-Monteith estimate. The sensitivity of the reduced set reference evaporation estimate was compared for the two values of approximated wind speeds. The assumption of 2 m S-1 wind speed gave a relatively better result. The sensitivity of the surface temperature energy balance (STEB) estimate of reference evaporation was investigated using two different atmospheric stability procedures. The evaporation estimate agreement and performance of the technique were found to vary depending on the stability correction procedure. The Monteith (1973) correction procedure was observed to be more sensitive to a higher surface-air temperature difference. The Monteith (1973) procedure was found to underestimate the reference evaporation and this resulted in a lower correlation coefficient. The uncorrected and Campbell and Norman (1998) stability corrected procedure of STEB estimate overestimated the reference evaporation but resulted in good agreement with actual reference evaporation. The use of estimated available energy using the STEB method resulted in a 7 % overestimate of measured available energy. Different designs of atmometers have been used to measure evaporation. The less expensive and simple ET_gageR (Model A and E) atmometer for daily evaporation measures were compared to grass-based and alfalfa-based Penman-Monteith and STEB estimate of reference evaporation. Two different evaporation surface covers used with the device allowed for the comparison to be made. Measurements using the canvas 30 ET-gage cover for grass reference evaporation were compared to grass based Penman-Monteith and STEB reference evaporation estimates. Correlation between the canvas 30 measures and Penman-Monteith estimates were good compared to the STEB estimate. The ET-gage canvas 54 measures were in a good agreement with alfalfa based Penman-Monteith reference evaporation estimate. There was, however, a slight time lag in ET-gage evaporation with ET-gage evaporation continuing accumulation when the reference evaporation was zero. The sensitivity of the ET-gage for microclimate variation was tested using the measurements made for two levels and three different microclimates. A shade measurement of reference evaporation was overestimated. The response of the ET-gage to one and two meter microclimate measures was similar to the short grass measurement. Furthermore, the ET-gage surface evaporation estimate using the STEB method showed equal response to the ET-gage surface for the microclimate measure and explained the possible cause of the lag of the ET-gage response. Accurate microclimate measurements is a requirement for the performance of the PenmanMonteith approach for the estimation of reference evaporation. The investment cost required for an AWS set up is high. Alternative options for gathering information of the microc1imate measurements required for calculating reference evaporation were assessed in terms of cost saving, accuracy and other advantages. A weather station system using a Hobo H8 logger (internal relative humidity and air temperature sensor and two external channels, one which was used for solar irradiance measurements) was found to be a cost-effective method for calculating the necessary microclimatic information for calculating reference evaporation. With this system reference evaporation was estimated with reasonable accuracy, at 16 % of the cost of normal AWS system. The use of an Event Hobo logger and an ET-gage was found to provide a reasonable estimate of reference evaporation. The use of the reduced set evaporation weather station was found to be unreasonable in terms of cost and accuracy. Air temperature and relative humidity were measured from different design of radiation shields and Stevenson screens. The use of home-made seven-plate plastic radiation shields provided a similar shield to radiation and ventilation compared to manufactured shields. At a low solar angle when wind speed was very low, all the radiation shields including the small Stevenson screens showed a higher air temperature difference relative to the standard Stevenson screen. The highest average difference of air temperature measurement was measured within the small Stevenson screen and metal-radiation shield. The home-made plastic radiation shield showed similar averages of air temperature and water vapour pressure difference compared to the six- and twelve-plate Gill radiation shields. The home-made metal radiation shield showed relatively higher deviation from the mean being cold at night time and hot during the day. More research is needed to explore the efficiency of the ET-gage evaporation from variety of microclimates to establish the cause of the overestimate under shade, to develop better relation of clear day net long wave irradiance and air temperature and the use of a wind speed sensor with Hobo H8 weather station system. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

Agriculture contributes significantly to national and global greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories but there is considerable control over management decisions and changes in production methods could lead to a significant reduction and possible mitigation of emissions from the sector. For example, conservation tillage practices have been suggested as a method of sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), however, many questions remain unanswered regarding the short-term efficacy of the production method and knowledge gaps exist regarding possible interactions with essential nutrient cycles, and the production of non-CO2 GHGs, such as nitrous oxide (N2O). Between autumn 2005 and 2009, a micrometeorological flux system was used to determine net CO2 and N2O exchange from an annual cropping system situated on clay soil in the Red River Valley of southern Manitoba. Four plots (4-ha each) were independently evaluated and planted to corn in 2006 and faba bean in 2007; in 2008, two spring wheat plots were monitored. As well, during the non-growing season in 2006-2007 following corn harvest, a second micrometeorological flux system capable of simultaneously measuring stable C isotopologue (12CO2 and 13CO2) fluxes was operated at the site. Tillage intensity and crop management practices were examined for their influence on GHG emissions. Significant inter-annual variability in CO2 and N2O fluxes as a function of crop and related management activities was observed. Tillage intensity did not affect GHG emissions from the site. After accounting for harvest removals, the net ecosystem C budgets were 510 (source), 3140 (source) and -480 (sink) kg C/ha/year for the three respective crop years, summing to a three-year loss of 3170 kg C/ha. Stable C isotope flux measurements during the non-growing season following corn harvest indicated that approximately 70 % and 20 – 30 % of the total respiration flux originated from crop residue C during the fall of 2006 and spring of 2007, respectively. The N2O emissions at the site further exacerbated the net global warming potential of this annual agroecosystem.

Abstract available in PDF file. / Thesis (M.Sc.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2014.

The focus of the research is on investigations of various methods for obtaining sensible heat flux (H) for estimating evaporation. The key for this approach is the application of the shortened energy balance equation, and in the case of methods based on the Monin-Obukhov similarity theory (MOST), such as surface-layer scintillometrv and temperature variance with adjusted for stability using air temperature skewness, and surface renewal (SR), die iterative procedures. The application of the shortened energy balance requires that errors associated with measurement of net irradiance (Rnet) and soil heat flux (S) are kept to a minimum To this end. methodology for the calibration of net radiometers for both the infrared and short wave irradiances receive attention. A field study attempts to quantify the error in soil heat flux measurement for a mesic grassland. A standard, convenient and accurate method for calibrating net radiometers would assist in unravelling reasons for the perplexing lack of surface energy balance closure when employing the eddy covariance (EC) flux estimation method as well as improve on the accuracy of the energy balance residual method for estimating evaporation. A relatively inexpensive, accurate and quick laboratory method, based on physical theory, for non-steady radiative conditions above a large water-heated or water-cooled radiator containing circulated water, with surface-embedded thermocouples is used to obtain reproducible net radiometer calibration factor's for the infrared waveband for a wide range in net irradiance. When applied, the method would reduce error m the most important term of the shortened energy balance and assist in energy balance closure aspects of EC measurements. The SLS method, reliant on MOST, is used for estimating a really-averaged H for a mesic grassland for a 30-month period. Comparisons with EC measurements feature prominently in this unique study. These comparisons include using different MOST procedures and the influence of the Bowen ratio on SLS measurement: of if is investigated. Furthermore, since there are reports in the literature that the EC method may underestimate H and or latent energy flux (LE), resulting in the shortened energy balance not being closed, effort is devoted to this aspect. Other methods used for comparison purposes are the traditional Bowen ratio energy balance (BREB), SR, TV and ETo (grass reference) methods. The TV and SLS and/or EC measurements of H are compared above three contrasting canopy surfaces. It is shown that other high frequency air temperature-based methods, for example, for the first time the TV method with adjustment for skewness, may pave the way for evaporation stations from which real-time and sub-hourly estimates may be obtained relatively inexpensively. Another area of research that receives attention is the placement height of EC instruments above short-canopy surfaces and a spectral analysis of the vertical wind speed and some temperature measurement: for close-canopv placement heights. The SR method is used to estimate, for the first time, open-water evaporation. The ideal SR method applied above canopies is the most inexpensive micrometeorological method for estimating H, but the SR weighting factor a needs to be determined using EC and for this reason, the TV method with adjustment for skewness was investigated. Finally, a unique implementation of SR uses an iterative method for calculating H. A similar iterative procedure is applied for MOST and ETo calculations. / Thesis (DScAgric)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

Agriculture contributes significantly to national and global greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories but there is considerable control over management decisions and changes in production methods could lead to a significant reduction and possible mitigation of emissions from the sector. For example, conservation tillage practices have been suggested as a method of sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), however, many questions remain unanswered regarding the short-term efficacy of the production method and knowledge gaps exist regarding possible interactions with essential nutrient cycles, and the production of non-CO2 GHGs, such as nitrous oxide (N2O). Between autumn 2005 and 2009, a micrometeorological flux system was used to determine net CO2 and N2O exchange from an annual cropping system situated on clay soil in the Red River Valley of southern Manitoba. Four plots (4-ha each) were independently evaluated and planted to corn in 2006 and faba bean in 2007; in 2008, two spring wheat plots were monitored. As well, during the non-growing season in 2006-2007 following corn harvest, a second micrometeorological flux system capable of simultaneously measuring stable C isotopologue (12CO2 and 13CO2) fluxes was operated at the site. Tillage intensity and crop management practices were examined for their influence on GHG emissions. Significant inter-annual variability in CO2 and N2O fluxes as a function of crop and related management activities was observed. Tillage intensity did not affect GHG emissions from the site. After accounting for harvest removals, the net ecosystem C budgets were 510 (source), 3140 (source) and -480 (sink) kg C/ha/year for the three respective crop years, summing to a three-year loss of 3170 kg C/ha. Stable C isotope flux measurements during the non-growing season following corn harvest indicated that approximately 70 % and 20 – 30 % of the total respiration flux originated from crop residue C during the fall of 2006 and spring of 2007, respectively. The N2O emissions at the site further exacerbated the net global warming potential of this annual agroecosystem.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:50:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 1416691 bytes, checksum: ffc3990008c811bdfa86e71e8a199015 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-17 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Brazil has 11.6% of all fresh water in the planet, with 67% of available water is used for agriculture. It appears that the indiscriminate use of this feature has generated discussions on the scope of sustainable development for the country. Eucalyptus is a multipurpose species exhibiting rapid growth and high productivity, to be adapted to the climatic conditions of Brazil. To raise the productivity of the crop in the field, seedling production process must be conducted providing water conditions, proper nutrition, microclimate and sanitary. This research had the objective of modeling the growth of eucalyptus seedlings as a function of thermal time, develop and calibrate a weighing microlysimeter for use in a protected environment and determine the evapotranspiration of eucalyptus seedlings at all stages of production (rooting, acclimatization, growth and hardening). The experiment was conducted in the Nurseries Research from the Department of Forestry, belonging to the Federal University of Viçosa. There were two production cycles of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla), and the first irrigation was carried out according to the traditionally used by the seedlings. In the second production cycle was thrown into the irrigation water demand function in culture. In addition to determining fresh and dry biomass of seedlings at intervals of 3 days were accomplished biometric measurements of eucalyptus seedlings, which were measured in leaf area, shoot height, stem diameter and length of the root system. It was later determined the quality of seedlings through the Dickson Quality Index (DQI). The determination of the evaporation was performed with the aid of the weighing microlysimeter, designed and calibrated for use in a greenhouse. Quantification of input and output of water in microlysimeter was based on fresh biomass accumulation of seedlings as a function of degree-days, in the interception of water by the leaves and the tray, and the amount of water retained in the micropores of the substrate. On average, it took 1045 degree-days for the production of eucalyptus seedlings, rooting for hardening in both production cycles. On average, the evapotranspiration of eucalyptus plants for rooting was equal to 2.40 mm; acclimatization equal to 2.00 mm, 4.82 mm of growth and hardening equal to 3.84 mm. With respect to the water depth applied, comparing the application of water by traditional management and optimized, there was a water economy optimized for the management of 11.9% for rooting, 60.3% at the acclimatization, the 25.6% growth phase and 30.6% during hardening. The proposed new irrigation levels did not affect the quality of the seedlings. The evapotranspiration of the plants inside the greenhouse was highly correlated with the variable weather outside, being recommended for the estimation of evapotranspiration in greenhouse. / O Brasil detém 11,6% de toda a água doce existente no planeta, sendo que 67% da água disponível é utilizada na agricultura. Verifica-se que o uso indiscriminado desse recurso tem gerado discussões quanto ao alcance de um desenvolvimento sustentável para o país. O eucalipto é uma espécie de uso múltiplo que apresenta rápido crescimento e alta produtividade, por ser adaptado às condições climáticas do Brasil. Para elevar a produtividade da cultura no campo, o processo de produção das mudas deve ser realizado propiciando condições hídricas, nutricionais, microclimáticas e sanitárias adequadas. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivos realizar a modelagem do crescimento das mudas de eucalipto em função do tempo térmico, desenvolver e calibrar um minilisímetro de pesagem para utilização em ambiente protegido e determinar a evapotranspiração de mudas de eucalipto em todas as fases de produção (enraizamento, aclimatação, crescimento e rustificação). O experimento foi conduzido no Viveiro de Pesquisas do Departamento de Engenharia Florestal, pertencente à Universidade Federal de Viçosa. Foram realizados dois ciclos de produção de mudas de eucalipto (Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla), sendo que no primeiro o manejo da irrigação foi realizado de acordo com o convencionalmente utilizado pelo viveiro. No segundo ciclo de produção a irrigação foi acionada em função da demanda hídrica na cultura. Além da determinação da biomassa fresca e seca das mudas, com periodicidade de 3 dias, foram realizadas medidas biométricas das mudas de eucalipto, nas quais foram mensuradas a área foliar, altura da parte aérea, diâmetro do colo e comprimento do sistema radicular. Posteriormente, foi determinada a qualidade das mudas por meio do Índice de Qualidade de Dickson (IQD). A determinação da evapotranspiração foi realizada com o auxílio do minilisímetro de pesagem, desenvolvido e calibrado para utilização em ambiente protegido. A quantificação da entrada e saída de água no minilisímetro foi baseada no acúmulo de biomassa fresca das mudas em função dos graus-dia acumulados, na interceptação de água pelas folhas e pela bandeja, e na quantidade de água retida nos microporos do substrato. Em média, foram necessários 1045 graus-dia acumulados para a produção das mudas de eucalipto, do enraizamento à rustificação, em ambos os ciclos de produção. Em média, a evapotranspiração das mudas de eucalipto na fase de enraizamento foi igual a 2,40 mm; na aclimatação igual a 2,00 mm; no crescimento de 4,82 mm e na rustificação igual a 3,84 mm. Com relação à lâmina aplicada, comparando a aplicação de água pelo manejo convencional e otimizado, verificou-se uma economia hídrica pelo manejo otimizado de 11,9 % na fase de enraizamento; 60,3 % na fase de aclimatação; 25,6 % na fase de crescimento e 30,6 % na fase de rustificação. As novas lâminas de irrigação propostas não afetaram a qualidade das mudas. A evapotranspiração das mudas no interior do ambiente protegido se mostrou altamente correlacionada com as variáveis meteorológicas externas, podendo ser recomendada para estimativa da evapotranspiração em ambiente protegido.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the local climate in the selected area and assess its impact. Monitoring will be situated in South Bohemia in Nové Hrady on an organic farm called Farm Besednice Ltd. This company is mainly focused on agricultural activities. The main interest is cattle breeding and cultivation of permanent grassland, i.e. production of hay and silage for farm´s own breeding and hay for export. Beside that a cultivation of fruit trees is other interest of this farm. There are many aspects that affect the economy. Therefore we are finding what agricultural activity favors and what does not, both in terms of weather, as well as in the practical side of farm´s own experiences

Submitted by CLAYSON CORREIA DE SOUSA (claysoncorreia1@gmail.com) on 2018-05-17T19:14:26Z No. of bitstreams: 1 tese.pdf: 4420802 bytes, checksum: cedcf59e6caac1c7a659bcfa11121cc6 (MD5) / Rejected by Alexandra Maria Donadon Lusser Segali null (alexmar@fcav.unesp.br), reason: Solicitamos que realize correções na submissão seguindo as orientações abaixo: O arquivo PDF submetido no repositório deve conter o certificado de aprovação (documento obrigatório), favor inserir o mesmo no arquivo PDF e fazer novamente a submissão. Agradecemos a compreensão on 2018-05-22T11:03:51Z (GMT) / Submitted by CLAYSON CORREIA DE SOUSA (claysoncorreia1@gmail.com) on 2018-05-22T14:18:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 tese.pdf: 4550646 bytes, checksum: a96b515f67e3dcade4a4185dc8520a5a (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Alexandra Maria Donadon Lusser Segali null (alexmar@fcav.unesp.br) on 2018-05-23T16:43:46Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 sousa_cc_dr_jabo.pdf: 4550646 bytes, checksum: a96b515f67e3dcade4a4185dc8520a5a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-23T16:43:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 sousa_cc_dr_jabo.pdf: 4550646 bytes, checksum: a96b515f67e3dcade4a4185dc8520a5a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-05-04 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / o objetivo desta tese foi ajustar modelos de previsão da massa seca (MS) desta forrageira relacionada a variáveis explicativas de clima, do solo, do pasto e dos animais, a partir de metadados de experimentos feitos em 8 localidades diferentes da região Centro-Sul. As análises primeiramente foram feitas para os dados agregados de experimentos de não irrigados e irrigados e na sequência para dados de experimentos de não irrigados. Quanto aos dados agregados as variáveis que mais influenciaram a MS foram Excedente Hídrico (EXC = precipitação mensal menos a evapotranspiração mensal); temperatura média mensal (T) e aplicação de fertilizantes (K2O, N). O modelo com melhor ajuste foi MS0,5=0,18K2O+5,56T9+ 0,14ETR8-103,63 (subscritos 8 e 9 representam respectivamente os meses de agosto e setembro), o qual pode ser utilizado para prever a MS de pasto com um ano de antecedência. Os dados de pastagem irrigada demonstraram aumento da média de MS a partir de setembro, sobretudo em função do aumento da temperatura média reduzindo o efeito sazonal e antecipando a MS. O erro dos modelos foi elevado (MAPE ≥ 29%), contudo na sequência das análises, a inclusão de variáveis morfoestruturais do pasto (% folhas) e de manejo (SPE, suplementação concentrada protéico/energética, altura do pasto) melhorou significativamente a acurácia (MAPE < 2%). A MS de folhas (variável dependente do modelo) é explicada pelo GMD (ganho médio diário) (variável independente) sendo -59,3 kg ha-1 por kg de GMD. Observam-se efeitos da TL (taxa de lotação) sobre a MS total, altura do pasto, frequência de corte sendo os efeitos respectivamente de -368,2kgUA-1ha-1, 254kg ha-1m-1 e 313,3kg ha-1dia-1. Dentre as variáveis climáticas que mais influenciaram a MS e a MSf foram temperatura e variáveis de balanços hídricos e observou-se que GMD dos animais sofreu maior efeito da SPE. / the objective of this thesis was to adjust forecast models of the dry mass (DM) of this forage related to explanatory variables of climate, soil, grass and animals, from metadata of experiments done in 8 different locations in the CenterSouth region. First the analyzes were made for the aggregate data of irrigated and rainfed experiments and in the sequence for data from not irrigated experiments. Regarding the aggregated data, the variables that most influenced the DM were: Water Surplus (EXC = monthly precipitation minus monthly evapotranspiration); monthly mean temperature (T) and fertilizer application (K2O, N). The best fit model was DM0,5=0,18K2O+5,56T9+0,14ETR8-103,63 (subscripts the 8 and 9 respectively represent the months of August and September), which can be used to forecast the average DM with a year in advance. Irrigated pasture data increased the average of DM from September, mainly due to the increase of the average temperature reducing the seasonal effect and anticipating the DM. The error of the models was high (MAPE ≥ 29%), however in the analysis, the inclusion of morphostructural variables of pasture (% leaves) and management (SPE, protein / energetic supplementation, pasture height) significantly improved the accuracy (MAPE <2%). Leaf DM (MSf) (model dependent variable) is explained by GMD (independent variable) being -59.3 kg ha-1 per kg of GMD. The effects of TL (total stocking rate) on total DM, pasture height, cutting age, and effects respectively of -368.2kg UA-1 ha-1 , 254kg ha-1m-1 and 313.3kg ha-1 day -1 . Among the climatic variables that influenced MS and MSF were temperature and water balance variables, and it was observed that GMD of the animals was most influenced by supplementation.