Improved descriptions of soil hydrology in crop models: The elephant in the room?

• DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2022.103477
• Publication Date: 2022-08-24T06:49:32Z
• Authors: Nicholas Jarvis; Mats Larsbo; Elisabet Lewan; Sarah Garré
• Keywords: Water balance

Soil-crop simulation models are widely used to assess the impacts of soil management and climate change on water balance, solute transport crop production. In this context, it is important that hydrological processes in soil-crop system accurately modelled. We suggest here empirical treatments flow, uptake by plant roots transpiration limit applicability increase prediction errors. further argue empiricism a large extent unnecessary, as parsimonious physics-based descriptions these flow now available. Recent reviews opinion articles, whilst strongly advocating need for improvements models, fail mention significant role played accurate hydrology. It seems us have become elephant room.