Water extraction by roots has been the main difficulty in describing and predicting a three-dimensional water distribution in the wetted volume under drip irrigation. The existing models consider either one-dimensional or multidimensional flow geometry, but in general, they are not easily accessible. This work introduces a two-dimensional semianalytical model for water content or potential distribution based on a superposition of the Warrick's analytical solution for transient flow from point source with a simple parametric model for root uptake. The model is also based on a local water balance, i.e., it considers a unit volume in a grid set in the wetted volume. The model results fitted well to the experimental data collected using corn plants in a Silt Loam Soil in containers. Simulations of water distribution in the wetted volume showed that the model allows to estimate and to describe soil water dynamics in the wetted volume during an irrigation cycle. This can improve significantly the evaluation of irrigation management, sensor placement studies and activity and distribution of roots in the wetted volume.
drip irrigation; soil-water relationship; root water uptake; simulation
