Irrigation Management for red pepper using high resolution weather data

Abstract. The aim of this study is to establish effective irrigation management for red pepper during growth period. High resolution weather data which gives precise information considering local differences could help to improve water productivity through supporting the irrigation management. The LAMP (Land-Atmosphere Modeling Package) at National Center for Agro-Meteorology (NCAM) of South Korea provides 1-week high resolution weather forecasting information based on the Weather Research and Forecasting modeling system (WRF) coupled with Noah-Multiparameterization options (Noah-MP) land surface model. The 810 m x 810 m squared gridded WRF/Noah-MP data in 2015 and 2016 were converted to input for operating soil moisture simulation model which determines soil moisture for the irrigation schedule in upland crops. The soil moisture model simulates according to water balance equation which is consist of evapotranspiration, precipitation, surface runoff, and percolation from upper soil layer to lower soil layer. Those terms of equation were calculated utilizing the NCAM WRF/Noah-MP data and the soil moisture simulation was conducted in clay loam and sandy loam field for 4 different depth layers during growth period of red pepper. FDR (Frequency Domain Reflectometry) sensors record were used to validate the simulation model. The results of the soil moisture simulation showed spatially detailed pattern under different weather conditions and soil texture, and verified with measured spot soil moisture data requiring applicability analysis.