Irrigation requirements and transpiration coupling to the atmosphere of a citrus orchard in Southern Brazil

Crop evapotranspiration (ETc) was measured as evaporative heat flux from an irrigated acid lime orchard (Citrus latifolia Tanaka) using the aerodynamic method. Crop transpiration (T) was determined by a stem heat balance method. The irrigation requirements were determined by comparing the orchard evapotranspiration (ETc) and T with the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) derived from the Penman-Monteith equation, and the irrigation requirements were expressed as ETc/ETo (Kc) and T/ETo (Kcb) ratios. The influence of inter-row vegetation on the ETc was analyzed because the measurements were taken during the summer and winter, which are periods with different regional soil water content. In this study, the average Kc values obtained were 0.65 and 0.24 for the summer and winter, respectively. The strong coupling of citrus trees to the atmosphere and the sensitivity of citrus plants to large vapor pressure deficits and air/leaf temperatures caused variations in the Kcb in relation to the ETo ranges. During the summer, the Kcb value ranged from 0.34 when the ETo exceeded 5 mm d⁻¹ to 0.46 when the ETo was less than 3 mm d⁻¹.     

The inherent variability of water stress indicators in apple, nectarine and pear orchards, and the validity of a leaf-selection procedure for water potential measurements

The following two topics were examined: (1) The variability in the measurement of leaf water potential (LWP), stem water potential (SWP), maximum daily trunk shrinkage (MDS), and soil water tension (SWT) in apple, nectarine and pear orchards; and (2) The validity of a leaf-selection procedure for SWP measurements in commercial apple orchards. 27 trees were selected in an apple orchard, 27 in a nectarine orchard, and 30 in a pear orchard. The trees were close to each other. The measurements comprised of: midday SWP in apple, nectarine and pear; midday LWP in apple; MDS in apple and nectarine; and SWT in pear. The mean and standard errors (SEs) of each water status indicator in each species were calculated for an increasing sample size. The sample sizes required for stable averages were: SWP – 4, 5, and 8 trees for apple, nectarine and pear, respectively; MDS – 17 and 16 trees for apple and nectarine, respectively; SWT – 21 for pear trees. The relative SEs (i.e. percent of population mean) were 2.4, 6.1 and 10.1% in SWP/LWP, MDS and SWT, respectively. Possible explanations for the differing variability of the various water status indicators are discussed. The results show that smaller samples were sufficient to represent SWP and LWP properly than what was required for MDS and SWT. 9 commercial apple plots were selected and about 25 randomly selected leaves were used for midday SWP measurements in each plot (i.e. experimental sets). About 5 leaves on closely adjacent “representative” trees were selected in each of the commercial plots (i.e. commercial sets) and midday SWP was measured. The average difference in SWP between the experimental and the commercial sets was –0.127 MPa. The choice of closely adjacent trees increased the deviation from the experimental sets. The use of a reasonable sample size (n=7) may enable midday SWP to be measured within ±0.15 MPa in most commercial orchards.     

Determination of the crop coefficient for grafted ‘Tahiti’ lime trees and soil evaporation coefficient of Rhodic Kandiudalf clay soil in Sao Paulo,Brazil

The expansion of permanent trickle irrigation systems in Sao Paulo (Brazil) citrus has changed the focus of irrigation scheduling from determining irrigation timing to quantifying irrigation amounts. The water requirements of citrus orchards are difficult to estimate, since they are influenced by heterogeneous factors such as age, planting density and irrigation system. In this study, we estimated the water requirements of young ‘Tahiti’ lime orchards, considering the independent contributions from soil evaporation and crop transpiration by splitting the crop coefficient (Kc = ETc/ETo) into two separate coefficients; Ke, a soil evaporation coefficient and Kcb, a crop transpiration coefficient. Hence, the water requirement in young ‘Tahiti’ lime (ET_y) is ET_y = (Ke + Kcb) · ETo, where ETo is the reference crop evapotranspiration. Mature tree water requirement (ET_m) is ET_m = Kcb · ETo, assuming no soil water evaporation. Two lysimeters were used; one was 1.6 m in diameter and 0.7 m deep, and the other was 2.7 m in diameter and 0.8-m deep. The first one was used to calculate evaporation and the second one was used for transpiration. ETo was estimated by the Penman–Monteith method (FAO-56). The measurements were conducted during a period between August 2002 and April 2005 in Piracicaba, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. The lysimeters were installed at the center of a 1.0-ha plot planted with ‘Tahiti’ lime trees grafted on ‘Swingle’ citrumelo rootstock. The trees were 1-year old at planting, spaced 7 × 4 m, and were irrigated by a drip irrigation system. During the study period, Kc varied between 0.6 and 1.22, and Kcb varied between 0.4 and 1.0. The results suggested that for young lime trees, the volume of water per tree calculated by Ke + Kcb is about 80% higher than the volume calculated using Kc. For mature trees, the volume of water per tree calculated using just Kcb can be 10% less than using Kc. The independent influence of soil evaporation and transpiration is important to better understand the water consumption of young lime trees during growth compared to mature lime trees.     

Determination of growth-stage-specific crop coefficients (Kc) of cotton and wheat

Development of crop coefficient (Kc), the ratio of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) to reference evapotranspiration (ETo), can enhance ETc estimates in relation to specific crop phenological development. This research was conducted to determine growth-stage-specific Kc and crop water use for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) at the Texas AgriLife Research field at Uvalde, TX, USA from 2005 to 2008. Weighing lysimeters were used to measure crop water use and local weather data were used to determine the reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Seven lysimeters, weighing about 14 Mg, consisted of undisturbed 1.5 m × 2.0 m × 2.2 m deep soil monoliths. Six lysimeters were located in the center of a 1-ha field beneath a linear-move sprinkler system equipped with low energy precision application (LEPA) and a seventh lysimeter was established to measure reference grass ETo. Crop water requirements, Kc determination, and comparison to existing FAO Kc values were determined over a 2-year period on cotton and a 3-year period on wheat. Seasonal total amounts of crop water use ranged from 689 to 830 mm for cotton and from 483 to 505 mm for wheat. The Kc values determined over the growing seasons varied from 0.2 to 1.5 for cotton and 0.1 to 1.7 for wheat. Some of the values corresponded and some did not correspond to those from FAO-56 and from the Texas High Plains and elsewhere in other states. We assume that the development of regionally based and growth-stage-specific Kc helps in irrigation management and provides precise water applications for this region.     

Crop coefficient (K c) for apple: comparison between measurements by a weighing lysimeter and prediction by CropSyst

Accurate prediction of crop coefficient (K _c) is necessary for proper irrigation management. We explored CropSyst for determining irrigation requirements of apple trees and for accuracy of K _c prediction. Values of K _c were compared to those obtained, over 2002–2010, from lysimeter-grown trees. Over these years, trees had different ratios of height (H) to width (W). CropSyst predicted irrigation requirements using tree light interception and water uptake sub-model components. Parameters of the model were adjusted using data obtained from the lysimeter in 2010. Tree light interception sub-model was verified by 2007 data. After parameterization, good agreement was found between simulated and measured K _c over different seasons. The porosity coefficient of the canopy was related to changes in tree’s H/W ratio and leaf overlapping. Accordingly, different porosity values could be estimated for each year. When yearly changes in canopy porosity was considered, CropSyst improved K _c prediction and generated relevant information for managing irrigation under changing canopy shape for apple trees.     

Effects of rising atmospheric CO2 on crop evapotranspiration in a Mediterranean area

In the assessment of plant response to the climate changes, the effects of CO₂ increase in the atmosphere and the subsequent rise of temperatures must be taken into account for their effects on crop physiology. In Mediterranean areas, a decrease of water availability and a more frequent occurrence of drought periods are expected. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of elevated CO₂ concentration and high temperature on reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and crop evapotranspiration (ETc) in the Mediterranean areas. The Penman-Monteith equation was used to simulate the future changes of reference evapotranspiration (ETo) by the recalibration of the canopy resistance parameter. Besides, crop coefficients (Kc) were adjusted according to the future climate trend. Then the modified empirical model (ETc = ETo × Kc) was applied providing an effective quantification of the climate change impact on water use of irrigated crops grown in Mediterranean areas. In the studied area, water use assessment was carried out for the period from 1961 to 2006 (measured data) and for a period from 2071 until 2100 (simulated data), showing a future climatic scenario. Water and irrigation use of crops will change as a function of climate changes, thermal needs of single crops and time of the year when they grow. Climate simulation model foresees the tendency for a significant increase of temperatures and a decrease of total year rainfall with a change of their distribution. The temperature increase and the concomitant expected rainfall decrease lead to a rise of year potential water deficit. About the autumn-spring crops, as wheat, a further increase of water deficit, is not expected. On the contrary, for spring-summer crops as tomato, a significant increase of water deficit and thus of irrigation need, is foreseen. Actually, for crops growing in that period of the year, the substantial rise of evapotranspiration demand cannot be compensated by crop cycle reduction and partial stomatal closure.     

Evaluation of plant-based water status indicators in mature apple trees under field conditions

The performance of different indicators of plant water status as a tool for irrigation management was evaluated in mature field grown ‘Golden Delicious’ apple trees during the late summer of 1998. Control (C) and stress (S) treatments were studied. In the C treatment trees were irrigated daily at 100% ET_c whereas in the S treatment water was withheld during 31 days (DOY’s 236–266). Predawn water potential (Ψ_pd) and midday stem water potential (Ψ_stem) were measured several times a week during the experimental period. Three daily measurements of stomatal conductance (g_s) and stem water potential were made during five consecutive days in mid-September. Trunk diameter changes (TDC) were recorded by LVDT sensors, and from these measurements, maximum daily shrinkage (MDS), daily growth (DG), and cumulative growth (CG) were calculated. Midday Ψ_stem showed the best ratio between the response to moderate water stress and tree variability (“signal/noise” ratio) among the indicators studied here, followed closely by Ψ_pd. On the other hand, the poorest water status indicator was g_s. Due to the low trunk growth rate of the trees, and its high variability, DG and CG were not adequate indicators. MDS showed a lower sensitivity to water stress and a higher variability (CV = 0.19) than midday Ψ_stem (CV = 0.08) and Ψ_pd (CV = 0.10). However, MDS correlated well with ET₀ and with midday Ψ_stem (R ² = 0.79) thus, making this parameter an interesting and promising tool for irrigation management in apple orchards. More research needs to be done in order to define reference values for MDS and plant water potential indicators, in relation to evaporative conditions and in different phenological periods, and to quantify the relationship between water status indicators values and apple tree yield and fruit quality.     

Use of CropSyst as a decision support system for scheduling regulated deficit irrigation in a pear orchard

Prediction of plant water status is necessary for the judicious application of regulated deficit irrigation. CropSyst, a generic crop growth model that is applicable to fruit trees, was used to forecast plant water potential for irrigation management recommendations in a pear orchard. Plant water potential is predicted along with tree transpiration using Ohm’s law analogy. The parameters of the model were adjusted by using field measured data on a lysimeter-grown pear tree. After adjustment, and using the same lysimeter data, a satisfactory agreement was found between simulated and measured tree transpiration, light interception, and stem water potential. Model simulations were also performed for other independent field data. These corresponded to eight different conditions of a deficit-irrigated field experiment in a pear orchard. Each condition differed in soil texture, time of irrigation cut-off, crop load, and tree leaf area. Deficit irrigation was managed first by withholding irrigation until reaching a threshold in midday stem water potential of −1.5 MPa. Subsequently, irrigation was applied at fixed proportions of full irrigation requirements. Simulations with CropSyst were used as decision support system that could work independently of stem water potential measurements. Simulations in all eight sites were satisfactory at providing adequate time without irrigation during the first part of the deficit period. A highly significant relationship (r ²  = 0.71) between predicted and measured stem water potentials was found for a simulation period of 40 days. Simulations for longer periods (i.e. 74 days) decreased the r ² to 0.61, and for this reason after resuming irrigation, slight deviations were found for the average stem water potential in two out of five sites. In conclusion, CropSyst produced relevant information for managing deficit irrigation in simulation periods shorter than 40 days.     

Response of sweet orange cv ‘Lane late’ to deficit irrigation in two rootstocks. I: water relations,leaf gas exchange and vegetative growth

The influence of a deficit-irrigation (DI) strategy on soil–plant water relations and gas exchange activity was analysed during a 3-year period in mature ‘Lane late’ (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.) citrus trees grafted on two different rootstocks, ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin (Citrus reshni Hort. ex Tanaka ) and ‘Carrizo’ citrange (C. sinensis L., Osbeck × Poncirus trifoliata L.). Two treatments were applied for each rootstock: a control treatment, irrigated at 100% ETc (crop evapotranspiration) during the entire season, and a DI treatment, irrigated at 100% ETc, except during Phase I (cell division) and Phase III (ripening and harvest) of fruit growth, when complete irrigation cut-off was applied. Under soil water deficit, the seasonal variations of soil water content suggested that ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin had a better root efficiency for soil water extraction than ‘Carrizo’ citrange. Moreover, in all years, trees on ‘Cleopatra’ reached a lower water-stress level (midday xylem water potential values (Ψ_md) > −2 MPa), maintaining a better plant water status during the water-stress periods than trees on ‘Carrizo’ (Ψ_md < −2 MPa). Similarly, net CO₂ assimilation rate (A) was higher in trees on ‘Cleopatra’ during the water-stress periods. In addition, the better plant water status in trees on ‘Cleopatra’ under DI conditions stimulated a greater vegetative growth compared to trees on ‘Carrizo’. From a physiological point of view, ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin was more tolerant of severe water stress (applied in Phases I and III of fruit growth) than ‘Carrizo’ citrange.     

基于三维点云的群体樱桃树冠层光照分布预测模型

合理的果树冠层结构和栽培密度可提高其冠层内光截获量,对提升果实产量和质量有重要影响。本文以细纺锤形樱桃树为研究对象,构建了基于三维点云的群体樱桃树冠层光照分布预测模型。使用Azure Kinect DK相机获取群体樱桃树三维点云数据,通过点云数据预处理得到完整的群体樱桃树三维点云数据。在冠层尺度内,对樱桃树冠层点云数据进行分层,提取不同区域的点云颜色特征。提出基于Delaunay三角化凹包算法的点云投影面积计算方法,通过凹包边界点提取和向量积叉乘,计算不同区域的点云投影面积。以点云颜色特征和相对投影面积特征为输入,以实测相对光照强度为输出,建立群体樱桃树冠层光照分布预测模型。试验结果表明,该模型能够较为准确地预测樱桃树冠层内的光照分布,预测值与实际值决定系数平均值为0.885,均方根误差为0.0716。研究结果可为樱桃树合理的种植密度管理及樱桃树休眠期自动化剪枝等提供技术支持。     

Evapotranspiration and irrigation effeciency of mature orange orchards in Valencia (Spain)

Actual evapotranspiration (ETc) of three mature sweet orange orchards (cv. Salustiana and Washington Navel on sour orange), under border irrigation and typical cultural practices was measured by the water balance method during 1981 to 1984. Soil water content was measured at 7 to 10 day intervals using a neutron meter and soil sampling of the 0–10 cm surface layer. Zero flux plane was calculated by measurements with mercury tensiometers. Irrigation water in these and other 5 similar orchards was measured by broad crested weirs. Rainfall and other climatic data for calculation of reference evapotranspiration by FAO's methods (ETo) were collected in a nearby meteorological station. Average yearly ETc ranged from 750 to 660 mm and mean monthly maximum was 3.7 and 3.2 mm/day in July for Salustiana and W. Navel orchards, respectively.ETo estimates for the different methods used were highly correlated (r ²0.94). Monthly crop coefficients (Kc) based on pan evaporation ranged from 0.5–0.6 in spring and summer to 0.8 in autumn and were about 10% higher than those for Penman or radiation methods. Average annual Kc for the three plots studied was 0.64, 0.61 and 0.51, respectively, and correlated well (r ²=0.99) with tree ground cover. Irrigation efficiency was about 50% for orchards with soils with less water holding capacity and more applied water per irrigation and 70–80% in orchards with deeper soils or with a higher water holding capacity. Increasing irrigation frequency and applying smaller amounts of water per irrigation with good uniformity can improve on-farm irrigation efficiency.     

Seasonal variations in sap flow and soil evaporation in an olive (Olea europaea L.) grove under two irrigation regimes in an arid region of Argentina

The emergence of intensively managed olive plantations in arid, northwestern Argentina requires the efficient use of irrigation water. We evaluated whole tree daily transpiration and soil evaporation throughout the year to better understand the relative importance of these water use components and to calculate actual crop coefficient (Kc) values. Plots in a 7-year-old ‘Manzanilla fina’ olive grove with 23% canopy cover were either moderately (MI) or highly irrigated (HI) using the FAO method where potential evapotranspiration over grass is multiplied by a given Kc and a coefficient of reduction (Kr). The Kc values employed for the MI and HI treatments were 0.5 and 1.1, respectively, and the Kr was 0.46. Transpiration was estimated by measuring main trunk sap flow using the heat balance method for three trees per treatment. Soil evaporation was measured using six microlysimeters in one plot per treatment. Both parameters were evaluated for 7-10 consecutive days in the fall, winter, mid-spring, summer, and early fall of 2006-2007. Maximum soil evaporation was observed in the summer when maximum demand was combined with maximum surface wetted by the drips and evaporation from the inter-row occurred due to rainfall. Similarly, maximum daily transpiration was observed in mid-spring and summer. Transpiration of MI trees was 30% lower than in HI trees during the summer period. However, this difference in transpiration disappeared when values were adjusted for total leaf area per tree because leaf area was 28% less in the MI trees. Transpiration represented about 70-80% of total crop evapotranspiration (ETc) except when soil evaporation increased due to rainfall events or over-irrigation occurred. We found that daily transpiration per unit leaf area had a positive linear relationship with daily potential evapotranspiration (r² = 0.84) when considering both treatments together. But, a strong relationship was also observed between transpiration per unit leaf area and mean air temperature (r² = 0.93). Thus, it is possible to predict optimum irrigation requirements for olive groves if tree leaf area and temperature are known. Calculated crop coefficients during the growing season based on the transpiration and soil evaporation values were about 0.65-0.70 and 0.85-0.90 for the MI and HI treatments, respectively.     

Midday measurements of leaf water potential and stomatal conductance are highly correlated with daily water use of Thompson Seedless grapevines

A study was conducted to determine the relationship between midday measurements of vine water status and daily water use of grapevines measured with a weighing lysimeter. Water applications to the vines were terminated on August 24th for 9 days and again on September 14th for 22 days. Daily water use of the vines in the lysimeter (ET_LYS) was approximately 40 L vine⁻¹ (5.3 mm) prior to turning the pump off, and it decreased to 22.3 L vine⁻¹ by September 2nd. Pre-dawn leaf water potential (Ψ_PD) and midday Ψ_l on August 24th were −0.075 and −0.76 MPa, respectively, with midday Ψ_l decreasing to −1.28 MPa on September 2nd. Leaf g _s decreased from ~500 to ~200 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹ during the two dry-down periods. Midday measurements of g _s and Ψ_l were significantly correlated with one another (r = 0.96) and both with ET_LYS/ET_o (r = ~0.9). The decreases in Ψ_l, g _s, and ET_LYS/ET_o in this study were also a linear function of the decrease in volumetric soil water content. The results indicate that even modest water stress can greatly reduce grapevine water use and that short-term measures of vine water status taken at midday are a reflection of daily grapevine water use.     

Evapotranspiration components and dual crop coefficients of coffee trees during crop production

Quantifying crop water consumption is essential for many applications in agriculture, such as crop zoning, yield forecast and irrigation management. The objective of this study was to determine evaporation (E), transpiration (T) and dual crop coefficients (Ke and Kcb) of coffee trees during crop production (3rd and 4th year of cultivation), conducted under sprinkler and drip irrigation and no irrigation, in Londrina, Paraná State, Brazil. Crop evapotranspiration (ET) was measured by weighing lysimeters cultivated with plants of cultivar IAPAR 59, E was measured by microlysimeters installed on the lysimeters and T was obtained by the difference between ET and E. The crop coefficient (Kc) was determined for the irrigated treatments as the ratio between ET and the reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Similarly, evaporation coefficient (Ke) and basal crop coefficient (Kcb) were determined as the ratio of E and T, respectively, to the value of ETo, which was estimated by the ASCE Penman-Monteith method on an hourly basis. The values of E and Ke varied due to atmospheric demand and water application method. Those factors, in addition to crop phenology and leaf area evolution, also influenced T and Kcb. Regardless irrigation treatment, the measured values of E represented 35% of ET, while T was 65% of ET. The recommended values of Ke were 0.46 and 0.26 for sprinkler and drip irrigation, respectively. The recommended values of Kcb were 0.52 and 0.82 for sprinkler-irrigated, and 0.5 and 0.65 for drip-irrigated treatments, varying as a function of daily ETo (ETo ≥ or <3 mm day⁻¹, respectively).     

成熟期苹果树冠层器官异源图像配准

为精确构建果树冠层彩色三维空间结构,以成熟期苹果树冠层为研究对象,将PMD摄像机及彩色摄像机相结合获取冠层器官异源图像,开展异源信息配准技术研究。将SIFT算法应用于异源图像特征点提取研究中,并应用目标函数优化RANSAC算法完成同名点提纯以保证特征点匹配的有效性,避免了异源图像尺度变化及果园自然光照的影响;在分析异源图像成像效果基础上,确定了应用双线性映射模型求解异源图像空间映射关系,有效克服了应用仿射变换模型求解异源图像空间映射关系的不精确性。果园不同自然环境下的配准实验表明:提出的混合算法适用于苹果树冠层器官异源图像的配准,晴天顺光环境下的正确配准率为88.2%,晴天逆光环境下的正确配准率为84.2%,阴天环境下的正确配准率为72.7%。     

Distribution of rainfall and soil moisture content in the soil profile under citrus tree canopy and at the dripline

The plant canopy intercepts rain and thus can alter the distribution of water under the canopy as compared to that along the dripline. The effects of a citrus (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) tree (25-year-old, Valencia orange) canopy on the distribution of rainfall and soil moisture content within the soil profile either along the dripline (D) or under the canopy near the trunk (inner side; I), and midway between I and Dripline (M) were evaluated, on the east and west sides of trees planted along north-south rows. Results of eleven storm events in 1995 (mean of east and west sides) revealed that the amounts of precipitation at the D, M, and I positions were 97–140, 47–94, and 52–79% of the incident rainfall, respectively. Thus, canopy interception of incident rainfall was quite appreciable. The soil moisture content was greater along the dripline compared to that at the M and I positions, particularly in the deeper (≥60 cm) soil profile. The water flux was significantly greater at the dripline than under the canopy indicating a greater leaching potential of soil-applied fertilizers and other chemicals when placed along the dripline. A substantial reduction in the rainfall and water flux under the canopy as a result of canopy interception suggests that application of fertilizer and chemicals under the canopy could minimize leaching losses. Received: 10 November 1997     

Response of Navel Lane Late citrus trees to regulated deficit irrigation: yield components and fruit composition

The effects of mid-summer regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) treatments were investigated on Navel Lane Late citrus trees over four seasons. Water restrictions applied from July until mid-September were compared with irrigation at full crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Two degrees of water restrictions were imposed: (1) RDI-1, irrigated at around 50% ETc and, (2) RDI-2, irrigated at 30–40% ETc. In addition, threshold values of midday stem water potential (Ψs) of ?1.3 to ?1.5 MPa for RDI-1 and of ?1.5 to ?1.7 MPa for RDI-2 were also taken into account. Results showed that Navel Lane Late is a citrus cultivar sensitive to water deficit since both RDI strategies reduced fruit size every year and water use efficiency in RDI trees was similar to control trees. However, the RDI-1 strategy allowed water savings up to 19% without reduction in yield when the water stress integral did not surpass 70 MPa day. RDI improved fruit quality, increasing total soluble solids and titratable acidity, while the fruit maturity was delayed. In conclusion, we suggest that RDI-1 strategy since it did not significantly impair the economic return can be applied in commercial orchards in case of water scarcity. Nevertheless, Navel Lane Late fruit is sensitive to water deficit and the fruit weight can be detrimentally affected.     

Crop water stress index is a sensitive water stress indicator in pistachio trees

Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) strategies, often applied in tree crops, require precise monitoring methods of water stress. Crop water stress index (CWSI), based on canopy temperature measurements, has shown to be a good indicator of water deficits in field crops but has seldom been used in trees. CWSI was measured on a continuous basis in a Central California mature pistachio orchard, under full and deficit irrigation. Two treatments—control, returning the full evapotranspiration (ET_c) and RDI—irrigated with 40% ET_c during stage 2 of fruit grow (shell hardening). During stage 2, the canopy temperature—measured continuously with infrared thermometers (IRT)—of the RDI treatment was consistently higher than the control during the hours of active transpiration; the difference decreasing after irrigation. The non-water-stressed baseline (NWSB), obtained from clear-sky days canopy–air temperature differential and vapour pressure deficit (VPD) in the control treatment, showed a marked diurnal variation in the intercept, mainly explained by the variation in solar radiation. In contrast, the NWSB slope remained practically constant along the day. Diurnal evolution of calculated CWSI was stable and near zero in the control, but showed a clear rising diurnal trend in the RDI treatment, increasing as water stress increased around midday. The seasonal evolution of the CWSI detected large treatment differences throughout the RDI stress period. While the CWSI in the well-irrigated treatment rarely exceeded 0.2 throughout the season, RDI reached values of 0.8–0.9 near the end of the stress period. The CWSI responded to irrigation events along the whole season, and clearly detected mild water stress, suggesting extreme sensitivity to variations in tree water status. It correlated well with midday leaf water potential (LWP), but was more sensitive than LWP at mild stress levels. We conclude that the CWSI, obtained from continuous nadir-view measurements with IRTs, is a good and very sensitive indicator of water stress in pistachio. We recommend the use of canopy temperature measurements taken from 1200 to 1500 h, together with the following equation for the NWSB: (T _c − T _a) = −1.33·VPD + 2.44. Measurements of canopy temperature with VPD < 2 kPa are likely to generate significant errors in the CWSI calculation and should be avoided.     

Intercepted radiation by apple canopy can be used as a basis for irrigation scheduling

Improved approaches for irrigation scheduling require specific protocols for adaptation to different growing conditions. We assessed crop intercepted radiation as the main factor for decision on irrigation scheduling. Over two growing seasons (2007-2008), apple trees growing in a large weighing lysimeter were used to measure daily canopy transpiration (T_d). Seasonal patterns of daily canopy intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR_d) and midday stem water potential were also measured. In 2007, irrigation was withheld in two different times to study T_d responses to midday stem water potential. Before harvest, under full irrigation, T_d increased linearly with IPAR_d (R² = 0.81 in 2007 and 0.84 in 2008). With the two year data combined, R² increased from 0.74 to 0.80 when VPD was considered as a second variable. When irrigation was withheld in 2007 the ratio between T_d and IPAR_d, which is defined here as transpiratory radiation use efficiency (TRUE), decreased linearly (R² = 0.49) as midday stem water potential decreased. Due to the highly significant effect of IPAR_d and VPD on T_d, TRUE showed potential applications in estimating the amount of irrigation water.     

Winter wheat canopy interception and its influence factors under sprinkler irrigation

Field studies on winter wheat canopy interception with its relations to leaf area index (LAI), plant height, drop diameter, wind speed, and water application intensity were carried out. Canopy interception was measured using the water wiping method. Results indicate that the maximum value of winter wheat canopy interception was not more than 1.0 mm, much smaller than presented by previous investigators. The total canopy interception for the growing season was 2.4 mm, only 1.3% of the total irrigation amount (194.6 mm), for four sprinkler irrigation events during 2003. Canopy interception increased as leaf area index and plant height increased. A linear regression model was developed to express the relationship of canopy interception with leaf area index and plant height. There was good agreement between the values of canopy interception measured using the water wiping method and estimated using the linear regression model. Results also indicate that canopy interception decreased as drop diameter and wind speed increased. An exponential relationship was found between canopy interception and drop size, and a linear relationship between canopy interception and the square of the wind speed. Water application intensity does not affect canopy interception significantly.