Compensatory uptake functions in empirical macroscopic root water uptake models – Experimental and numerical analysis

•A study of an empirical, macroscopic, compensatory root water uptake is proposed.•We analyze water flow in a maize-cropped soil with different watering methods.•Simulating uptake with surface watering may not require a compensatory function.•Simulating uptake with local watering requires compensatory function.•The compensatory uptake mechanism is independent of plant water-stress status.