Physically-based crop models developed to maximize readily accessible information and minimize internal empirical relationships have the potential to improve farm management, aid in near real-time crop monitoring, and provide more accurate yield predictions. In Maize-Sim, a biophysical corn model has been coupled to 2DSOIL, a two-dimensional soil process simulator, to simulate above- and below-ground growth and development of a corn plant. The objective of the research presented here is to model root activity and soil infiltration in and around a corn plant especially in response to nitrogen stress. Data were collected from two trenches located in a corn field, one in a no nitrate treatment and one in a high nitrate treatment. In each trench, a total of 24 soil moisture probes were placed beneath and between corn plants and at depths of 20, 40, and 60 cm. Temperature probes were also placed at each location. The spatial and temporal distribution of soil moisture as a function of nitrogen plant stress is discussed. Along with data from an evapotranspiration sensor located in the field, water uptake in the corn plants is evaluated.
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