Characterization of the drop-size distribution and velocity–diameter relation of the throughfall under the maize canopy

In this study, we used a pair of optical disdrometers, one under and one outside the maize canopy, to measure the drop-size and the velocity distribution of hydrometeors during 12 storms and identified four distinct regions by examining how the fraction of drops recorded on the throughfall changed with respect to the drop diameter. The first region, containing drops with diameters smaller than 0.5 mm, showed an elevated number on the throughfall. Their numbers were comparable to the numbers of drops that lacked enough energy to adhere to the leaf. The second region, featuring drops with diameters larger than 0.5 mm and smaller than 3 mm, had a number ratio very close to the canopy gap fraction, indicating that their most likely origin was direct throughfall. The third region entailed drops with diameters ranging from 3 mm to 5.5 mm that featured a high throughfall to rainfall count ratio, with one of the diameter classes having higher counts under the canopy than outside of it. Through simplified calculations, we showed that drop weights in this region should exceed surface tension forces and lead to their detachment. In the fourth and final region, the throughfall to rainfall ratio decreased converging to the canopy gap fraction. By comparing the number of drops on each of the 440 diameter/velocity classes under and outside of the canopy, we were able to identify preferential drop sizes on the throughfall, i.e. classes of drop diameters with higher drop-size distributions under the canopy. The drop classes presenting higher counts under the canopy had diameters ranging from 3.25 mm to 5.75 mm with velocities between 1.4 m s−1 and 5 m s−1. We were able to trace the origin of those drops to heights of between 0.10 m and 1.05 m within the canopy, confirming that these drops constitute the indirect throughfall. The capability to estimate the detachment height of drops allows us to reconstruct the drop-size distribution at different levels of the canopy and offers unique insight into the mechanics of interception, indirect throughfall formation and re-interception of raindrops by the maize canopy.

► We measured drop diameter and velocity under and outside the maize canopy.
► Foliage reduced the overall number and increased the size (D50) of throughfall drops.
► Calculations pointed to a drop detachment threshold of 3.75 mm, consistent with data.
► Drop acceleration calculations confirmed that detached drops are formed on leaves.