Interception loss from grass

Field studies were conducted for the purpose of measuring interception loss from an actively transpiring grass cover. Continuous records of evapotranspiration were obtained from a pair of floating lysimeters in a grass field. The grass cover on and around each lysimeter was sprinkled alternately. No appreciable differences were observed between evapotranspiration from wetted and from unwetted vigorous grass covers. Differences were significant when dead grass stubble was placed on and around the lysimeters. The data indicate that evaporation from wetted leaf surfaces may replace all or part of normal transpiration and that the entire plant-soil system should be considered in evaluating interception loss.