The drying pattern of grass swaths in the field |
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| Authors: | BRENDA J CLARK P McDonald |
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| Institution: | Department of Agricultural Biochemistry, The Edinburgh School of Agriculture |
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| Abstract: | The drying pattern of grass swaths was monitored using microclimate techniques during a 48 h summer wilting period of good drying conditions. Swath drying pattem, which is dependent upon the swath energy relations, water relations and resistances to evaporation, was explained in terms of changes in the balance of available energy, ambient vapour pressure deficit and swath internal resistance to water vapour transfer throughout the drying period. A typical drying pattern showed limited swath evaporation between sunrise and 09.00 hours, and rapid evaporation between 09.00 hours and 12.00 hours when available energy and vapour pressure deficit were high and swath resistance to water loss low. Between 12.00 and 18.00 hours, because of a decrease in available energy and increase in swath resistance, swath evaporation was reduced. Between 18.00 hours and sunset swath evaporation was near zero. |
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