Recent Developments and Applications of the HYDRUS Computer Software Packages

The HYDRUS-1D and HYDRUS (2D/3D) are finite element computer models/packages for simulation of wa-ter, heat, and solute transport in variably

saturated porous media in one- and two- and three-dimen-sions, respectively.

HYDRUS has evolved over the past decade, and a recent article published in Vadose Zone Journal describes the vari-ous developments of this package from 2008, such as ad-dition of new modules that have enhanced its capabilities. The article also reviews selected applications of HYDRUS for irrigation, effects of plant water uptake on groundwater recharge, and use of geophysical methods.

HYDRUS solves numerically the Richards equation for the saturated and unsaturated flow, the convection-disper-sion equations for transport of solutes in both the liquid and gaseous phases, and the conduction-dispersion equa-tion for heat transport. It can also consider water uptake by plant roots. The major improvements of the HYDRUS-1D code since 2008 include coupled water, vapor, and energy transport; evaluation of potential evapotranspiration using Penman Monteith formulation; surface energy balance; and consideration of snow. The inclusion of freezing and thawing processes, colloid-facilitated transport, isotope transport, and root growth have made HYDRUS-1D more versatile since 2008.

HYDRUS (2D/3D) has become more powerful by con-sidering enhanced computational schemes for boundary conditions, various additional chemical and biogeochemi-cal reactions, and soil stresses and slope stability (in two dimensions). The graphical user interface has become more powerful by allowing its users to define and visualize gen-

eral three-dimensional objects and to define various proper-ties and initial and boundary conditions on geometrical objects rather than on finite element mesh.

In general, HYDRUS has been applied since 2008 to many different flow and transport applications. These in-clude studies of flow and transport in agricultural applica-tions involving different forms of irrigation such as drip and furrow irrigation. HYDRUS has been used to study the impact of the use of saline waters for irrigation by solving simultaneously water flow, solute transport, and various biogeochemical reactions in soils. Other applications in-volve the use of HYDRUS along with common geophysical methods such as electrical resistivity tomography, ground-penetrating radar, and cosmic ray sensing. In these applica-tions, there is an integration of data collected in the field along with modeling using the HYDRUS package. Ground-water recharge has also been studied using HYDRUS.

Adapted from Šimůnek, J., M.Th. van Genuchten, and M. Šejna. 2016. Recent developments and applications of the HYDRUS computer software packages. Vadose Zone J. 15(7). View the article online at http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.2136/vzj2016.04.0033. Summary written by Venkat Lakshmi

Each month, we highlight a photo that demonstrates great techniques to illustrate research. This month, we thank Adeline Bougouin. This photo includes: low camera angle to add interest, deep focus with cows in background, and contrast of light and textures.

Read the web story about Bougouin’s research here: www.agronomy.org/science-news/protein-ammonia-out. Don’t let those photo opp moments pass you by! Keep your camera, or cell phone, ready to capture the exciting visuals of your science!

Worth 1,000 Words

Holstein dairy cows in a naturally ven-tilated barn. The cows are in a losse-housing barn type. The bed-ding is made out of wheat straw. Photo by Adeline Bougouin.

doi:10.2134/csa2016-61-11-4

Schematic of the transport domain showing the main hy-drological fluxes (left) and initial and boundary conditions (right) of a furrow irrigation system.

Science

14 CSA News November 2016

perennialsCrop Science Society of America | Soil Science Society of America | American Society of Agronomy

Crops, Soils, Agronomy

csa newsYour Societies. Your Magazine.

Science | News & Perspectives | Career & Education

Working through the challenges of perennial grain crop development

November 2016

The promise of

Published October 28, 2016

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Science Features4 The promise of perennials:

Working through the challenges of perennial grain crop development.

8 Lasting effects of biosolids in agroecosystems.

16 Students use sawmill to learn forestry concepts.

Society Science11 Highlights from our journals.

Worth 1,000 Words14 Worth 1,000 words.

News & PerspectivesASA President’s Message18 Agronomy—grow with it … and

make this world a better place.

Membership20 Know your community: Preci-

sion Agriculture Systems

21 ACSESS adopts diversity and inclusion statement.

22 New members.

Science Policy News26 Geoscience Congressional Visits

Day.

Industry News27 Industry news.

Meetings28 Recap of the Nitrogen Use

Efficiency Conference

Letter to the Editor29 Defending the proper use of the

term ‘monoculture’.

Members Forum30 Classroom experiment reveals

third-graders perceptions of science, scientists.

Career & EducationEarly Career Members32 Steps for effective teaching in the

classroom.

Career Center34 New job postings.

CSA News magazine Volume 61 Number 11| November 2016

agronomy.org | crops.org | soils.org

CSA News is the official monthly magazine for members of the American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA). The views in CSA News do not necessarily reflect an endorsement by the publishers. CSA News may use trade names of some products. No endorsement of these products is intended, nor is any criticism implied of similar products not mentioned. Pub-lic domain images are often used to complement articles. Individuals shown in these images are not necessarily associated with the article or endorse its content.

PresidentsPaul E. Fixen (ASA), Michael A.Grusak (CSSA), and Harold M. van Es (SSSA)

Chief Executive OfficerEllen G.M. Bergfeld

Editors-in-ChiefElizabeth Guertal (ASA), C. Wayne Smith (CSSA), and David Myrold (SSSA)

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4

30

Feature: It’s hard to argue with the advantages of a perennial grain crop. By breaking the repetitive plow-plant-harvest cycle of annuals, perennials reduce soil erosion caused by annual farming, and their deep roots help stabilize the soil. Less input is required since their roots can utilize water and nutrients much deeper than annuals. Yet, there are breeding and man-agement challenges that must be overcome. See page 4. Cover image shows an intermediate wheatgrass field. Source: Wikimedia/DeHaan.

Inside

One member’s visit to a third-grade class-room reveals some insights into their impres-sions of scientists. See page 30. Photo to the left by Bill Shrum/Stuttgart Daily Leader.