The water balance modelling of agricultural sites and catchments, the enhanced use of drainage water for irrigation, and the fast, real-time monitoring of drought and inland excess water are essential for a better understanding of the soil–water–plant nexus and the ensuing improvement of irrigation scheduling practices.
WATERAGRI partner University of Debrecen developed model concept for crop evapotranspiration estimation based on vegetation indices calculated from satellite imagery. Several combinations of sensors and remote sensing products were tested to use in crop evapotranspiration modelling potentially.
Remote sensing-based analysis of crop evapotranspiration, combined with physically-based modelling, appears to be a promising method in water balance modelling of maize fields.
