Evapotranspiration and its partitioning in an irrigated winter wheat field: A combined isotopic and micrometeorologic approach

Groundwater overdraft threatens the future of irrigated agriculture in the North China Plain. Because irrigated winter wheat is the dominant user of extracted groundwater, improved understanding of water cycling through the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum during wheat cultivation in the North China Plain is necessary for improving the sustainable utilization of limited water resources and promoting food security. In this paper, a combination of micrometeorological and stable isotope techniques was used to investigate evapotranspiration and soil water dynamics in a typical winter wheat agro-ecosystem (Luancheng Agro-ecosystem Experiment Station, Hebei Province). Stable isotope mixing models were used with eddy covariance evapotranspiration estimates and micro-lysimeter evaporation measurements to partition evapotranspiration and determine temporal variability of root water uptake depths. Results suggest that evaporation during the winter wheat irrigation season can reach up to 30% of the total water consumption (almost two typical irrigations). The main depths of root water uptake were 0–40 cm. Therefore, it is suggested that the planned irrigation wetting depth can be reduced at least to 40 cm, rather than the traditional 100 cm, as a means of water conservation. Widespread implementation of these practices could amount to a significant water savings for the North China Plain.