Multi-parameter spatial interpolation of solar radiation in heterogeneous structured agricultural areas

Abstract

In this study, spatial interpolation (SI) of solar radiation (SR) examined with 81 agro-meteorological stations’ data at South Eastern of Turkey. The aim is to minimize SI error of SR by using ancillary data, which are highly related to SR, over the heterogeneous agricultural areas that comprise different crop species, irrigation techniques, topographic conditions and others. The Ordinary Kriging (OK) method was used to interpolate SR individual, moreover ancillary data (air temperature (Ta), vapor pressure deficit (VPD), digital elevation model (DEM)) were used to generate interpolation using Ordinary Co-Kriging (OCK) method. The results show that the best SR interpolation was achieved using OCK with ancillary data of “VPD and Ta together” up to 21% accuracy that can provide better assessment and management of crop development and yield. Keywords—solar radiation; spatial interpolation, ordinary kriging; ancillary data; ordinarry cokriging