Deficit irrigation based on drought tolerance and root signalling in potatoes and tomatoes

Agriculture is a big consumer of fresh water in competition with other sectors of the society. Within the EU-project SAFIR new water-saving irrigation strategies were developed based on pot, semi-field and field experiments with potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.), fresh tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and processing tomatoes as model plants. From the pot and semi-field experiments an ABA production model was developed for potatoes to optimize the ABA signalling; this was obtained by modelling the optimal level of soil drying for ABA production before re-irrigation in a crop growth model. The field irrigation guidelines were developed under temperate (Denmark), Mediterranean (Greece, Italy) and continental (Serbia, China) climatic conditions during summer. The field investigations on processing tomatoes were undertaken only in the Po valley (North Italy) on fine, textured soil. The investigations from several studies showed that gradual soil drying imposed by deficit irrigation (DI) or partial root zone drying irrigation (PRD) induced hydraulic and chemical signals from the root system resulting in partial stomatal closure, an increase in photosynthetic water use efficiency, and a slight reduction in top vegetative growth. Further PRD increased N-mineralization significantly beyond that from DI, causing a stay-green effect late in the growing season. In field potato and tomato experiments the water-saving irrigation strategies DI and PRD were able to save about 20-30% of the water used in fully irrigated plants. PRD increased marketable yield in potatoes significantly by 15% due to improved tuber size distribution. PRD increased antioxidant content significantly by approximately 10% in both potatoes and fresh tomatoes. Under a high temperature regime, full irrigation (FI) should be undertaken, as was clear from field observations in tomatoes. For tomatoes full irrigation should be undertaken for cooling effects when the night/day average temperature >26.5 °C or when air temperature >40 °C to avoid flower-dropping. The temperature threshold for potatoes is not clear. From three-year field drip irrigation experiments we found that under the establishment phase, both potatoes and tomatoes should be fully irrigated; however, during the later phases deficit irrigation might be applied as outlined below without causing significant yield reduction:

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Potatoes

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After the end of tuber initiation, DI or PRD is applied at 70% of FI. During the last 14 days of the growth period, DI or PRD is applied at 50% of FI.

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Fresh tomatoes

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From the moment the 1st truce is developed, DI is applied at 85-80% of FI for two weeks. In the middle period, DI or PRD is applied at 70% of FI. During the last 14 days of the growth period, DI or PRD is applied at 50% of FI.

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Processing tomatoes

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From transplanting to fruit setting at 4th-5th cluster, the PRD and DI threshold for re-irrigation is when the plant-available soil water content (ASWC) equals 0.7 (soil water potential, Ψ_soil = −90 kPa). During the late fruit development/ripening stage, 10% of red fruits, the threshold for re-irrigation for DI is when ASWC = 0.5 (Ψ_soil = −185 kPa) and for PRD when ASWC (dry side) = 0.4 (Ψ_{soil, dry side} = −270 kPa).

The findings during the SAFIR project might be used as a framework for implementing water-saving deficit irrigation under different local soil and climatic conditions.     

Irrigation rate and plant density effects on yield and water use efficiency of drip-irrigated corn

The efficient use of water by modern irrigation systems is becoming increasingly important in arid and semi-arid regions with limited water resources. This study was conducted for 2 years (2005 and 2006) to establish optimal irrigation rates and plant population densities for corn (Zea mays L.) in sandy soils using drip irrigation system. The study aimed at achieving high yield and efficient irrigation water use (IWUE) simultaneously. A field experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block split plot design with three drip irrigation rates (I₁: 1.00, I₂: 0.80, and I₃: 0.60 of the estimated evapotranspiration), and three plant population densities (D₁: 48,000, D₂: 71,000 and D₃: 95,000 plants ha⁻¹) as the main plot and split plot, respectively. Irrigation water applied at I₁, I₂ and I₃ were 5955, 4762 and 3572 m³ ha⁻¹, respectively. A 3-day irrigation interval and three-way cross 310 hybrid corn were used. Results indicated that corn yield, yield components, and IWUE increased with increasing irrigation rates and decreasing plant population densities. Significant interaction effects between irrigation rate and plant population density were detected in both seasons for yield, selected yield components, and IWUE. The highest grain yield, yield components, and IWUE were found for I₁D₁, I₁D₂, or I₂D_1, while the lowest were found for I₃D₂ or I₃D₃. Thus, a high irrigation rate with low or medium plant population densities or a medium irrigation rate with a low plant population density are recommended for drip-irrigated corn in sandy soil. Crop production functions with respect to irrigation rates, determined for grain yield and different yield components, enable the results from this study to be extrapolated to similar agro-climatic conditions.     

Drip irrigation with saline water for oleic sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

The field experiments were carried out in 2007 and 2008 to study the effects and strategies of drip irrigation with saline water for oleic sunflower. Five treatments of irrigation water with average salinity levels of 1.6, 3.9, 6.3, 8.6, and 10.9 dS/m were designed. For each treatment, 7 mm water was applied when the soil matric potential (SMP) 0.2 m directly underneath the drip emitters was below −20 kPa, except during the seedling stage. To ensure the seedling survival, 28 mm water was applied after sowing during the seedling stage. Results indicate that amount of applied water decreases as salinity level of irrigation water increases. The emergence will be delayed when the salinity level of irrigation water is higher than 6.3 dS/m, but these differences will be alleviated if there is rainfall during emergence period. The final emergence percentage is not changed when salinity level of irrigation is less than 6.3 dS/m, and the percentage decreases by 2.0% for every 1 dS/m increase when the salinity level of irrigation water is above 6.3 dS/m, but the decreasing rate will be reduced if there is rainfall. The plant height and yield decrease with the increase of salinity of irrigation water. The height of plants decreases by 0.6-1.0% for every 1 dS/m increase in salinity level of irrigation water. The yield decreases by 1.8% for every 1 dS/m increase in salinity level of irrigation water, and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) increases with increase in salinity of irrigation water. The soil salinity increases as the salinity of irrigation water increasing after drip irrigation with saline water in the beginning, but the soil salinity in soil profile from 0 to 120 cm depths can be maintained in a stable level in subsequent year irrigation with saline water. From the view points of yield and soil salt balance, it can be recognized even as the salinity level of irrigation water is as high as 10.9 dS/m, saline water can be applied to irrigate oleic sunflower using drip irrigation when the soil matric potential 0.2 m directly under drip emitter is kept above −20 kPa and the beds are mulched in semi-humid area.     

有限性灌溉对设施草莓产量及水分利用效率的影响

在日光温室环境及盆栽条件下,通过与全灌(FI)比较,研究了亏缺灌溉(DI)及分根交替灌溉(PRD)对草莓产量和灌水利用效率(IWUE)的影响.试验从开花期开始到果实成熟期结束.共分5个处理,全灌(FI);分根灌溉PRD分2个处理水平,即PRD1和PRD2;限制灌溉DI也分两个处理水平,即D11和D12.与F1处理相比,DI1和DI2处理的叶水势和气孔导度明显偏低,单株叶面积、鲜果重、平均单果重也显著低于FI处理.但水分利用效率却比FI处理的高(分别高15.8%和29.3%);PRD1处理的叶水势与FI处理的相当.且高于其它处理,而气孔导度比FI,DI1和D12处理的明显降低,与PRD2处理的相近.PRD1处理的鲜果重、平均单果重与FI处理的相当,比DI1,DI2和PRD2处理的显著提高;与FI处理相比,DI1,DI2,PRD1和PRD2处理分别节水31.5%,50.0%,31.5%和50.0%,水分利用效率分别提高了15.8%,29.3%,44.4%和84.4%,从草莓产量和水分利用效率各指标可以看出,PRD1处理比DI1,DI2和PRD2处理表现出明显的优势,其综合效益最佳.     

微润灌溉施肥对干热区芒果光合特性、产量和水肥利用的影响

为探明干热区芒果高效生产的灌溉施肥模式,应用微润灌溉施肥技术在西南干热区开展大田芒果试验。以7年生"贵妃芒"为试验材料,设置4种灌溉模式和3个施肥水平。4种灌溉模式为全生育期充分灌溉(FI,100%ETC)和3个生育阶段调亏灌溉(RDI),调亏阶段分别为开花期、膨大期和成熟期(RDIFS、RDIES和RDIMS),调亏阶段的灌水水平为50%ETC,非调亏阶段为100%ETC。3个施肥水平为高肥(FH)、中肥(FM)和低肥(FL)。研究不同水肥处理对芒果光合特性、产量和水肥利用效率的影响。结果表明:不同生育期RDI均可显著减小芒果净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr),而增大叶片瞬时水分利用效率(WUEi)。相同灌溉水平下,开花期和膨大期Pn、Gs和Tr随施肥量的增加而增加,WUEi随施肥量的增加先增后减,成熟期Pn、Tr和WUEi随施肥量的增加而增加。与FI处理相比,RDIFS减少芒果单果重量、产量和肥料偏生产力(PFP)分别为11.74%,23.43%,23.98%,RDIES分别减少为21.09%,20.29%,20.50%,RDIES和RDIMS分别提高灌溉水利用效率IWUE为11.87%和32.81%。与FM相比,FH减少产量和IWUE分别为4.17%和4.06%,FL分别减少6.75%和6.67%,PFP随着施肥量的增加而减少。与CK相比,除RDIMSFM处理增加产量6.36%和RDIMSFL增加不明显外,其余处理减少3.14%~31.76%,RDIMSFL处理下的PFP和RDIMSFM处理下的IWUE取得最大值,分别为363.93 kg/kg和15.80 kg/m3,与CK相比均显著增加。因此,综合考虑产量和IWUE等指标,RDIMSFM处理最优,是干热区芒果适宜的微润灌溉施肥模式。     

Effects of drip irrigation with saline water on waxy maize (Zea mays L. var. ceratina Kulesh) in North China Plain

In order to study the effects of drip irrigation with saline water on waxy maize, three years of field experiments were carried out in 2007-2009 in North China Plain. Five treatments with average salinity of irrigation water, 1.7, 4.0, 6.3, 8.6, and 10.9 dS/m were designed. Results indicated that the irrigation water with salinity <10.9 dS/m did not affect the emergence of waxy maize. As salinity of irrigation water increased, seedling biomass decreased, and the plant height, fresh and dry weight of waxy maize in the thinning time decreased by 2% for every 1 dS/m increase in salinity of irrigated water. The decreasing rate of the fresh ear yield for every 1 dS/m increase in salinity of irrigation water was about 0.4-3.3%. Irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) increased with the increase in salinity of irrigation water when salinity was <10.9 dS/m. Precipitation during the growing period significantly lightened the negative impacts of irrigation-water salinity on the growth and yield. Soil salinity in depth of 0-120 cm increased in the beginning of irrigation with saline water, while it was relatively stable in the subsequent year when salinity of irrigation water was not higher than 4.0 dS/m and the soil matric potential (SMP) at 0.2 m directly underneath the drip emitter was controlled above −20 kPa.     

Assessment of summer drought tolerance variability in Mediterranean alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars under Moroccan fields conditions

This study was undertaken to assess levels of tolerance to summer drought in Medicago sativa genotypes and to comment on their abilities to adapt to Moroccan conditions. Sixteen alfalfa cultivars originating from the Mediterranean basin were tested at an experimental station in Morocco, located in the semi-arid bioclimatic area. Trials were conducted over three years and consisted of one continuously irrigated treatment and another irrigated treatment in which summer watering was withheld for 9 weeks. Results showed that summer water stress significantly reduced aboveground biomass in all of the cultivars tested. This reduction ranged between 23.9 and 42.6% compared with fully irrigated treatment. At the end of stress period, mean summer leaf senescence rate was 83.3%, with a significant difference between cultivars. Ground cover, estimated at the end of summer in the third year, decreased dramatically and ranged between 12 and 30.7%, depending on the cultivar. High intrinsic water-use efficiency was associated with a decrease in stomatal conductance rather than an increase in photosynthesis.     

Safflower yields and water use efficiency as affected by irrigation at different soil moisture depletion levels and plant population density under arid conditions

A field experiment was carried out over two years to investigate the effects of an irrigation regime and its interaction with plant density on yield, yield components and water use efficiency (WUE) of safflower Giza 1 cv. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement with three replications. There were three available soil moisture depletion levels (ASMD) under this study (I₁:50% of ASMD, I₂:65% of ASMD and I₃:80% of ASMD), which were kept in main plots and three plant population densities (D₁: 10, D₂: 20 and D₃: 40 plants m^?2), which were randomized in sub-plots. Significant interaction effects between irrigation regime and plant population density were detected for seed and oil yields, 1000-seed weight and seed weight plant^?1 as well as WUE. The highest seed and oil yields were found for D₂I₁. Meanwhile, the highest WUE was found for D₂I₁ or D₂I₂. Based on these results, the combination of an irrigation rate of 50% of ASMD at a density of 20 plants m^?2 when irrigation water supplies are sufficient or a rate of 65% of ASMD at the same plant density when irrigation water are limited, are recommended for planting safflower under similar soil and climatic conditions.     

水氮互作对春小麦叶片气体交换和叶绿素荧光参数的作用机制

通过盆栽对春小麦宁春4号不同生育期功能叶光合参数和叶绿素荧光参数的测定,研究水氮互作对春小麦叶片光合作用以及瞬时水分利用效率的影响。结果表明,施氮可提高小麦功能叶光合速率(Pn)、瞬时水分利用效率(IWUE)、气孔导度(Gs)、表观光合电子传递速率(ETR)、PSⅡ总的光化学量子产量(Yield)、荧光光化学猝灭系数(qP),同时胞间CO2浓度(Ci)减小。干旱和丰水条件下,高氮处理的Pn、IWUE、Gs和ETR均大于其他氮素水平。在拔节期和灌浆期,干旱条件下高氮叶片Yield显著低于中氮和对照处理;在抽穗期和灌浆期,丰水和中等干旱的高氮叶片qP较对照以及丰水和严重干旱的中氮叶片高。小麦叶片Pn与Yield、qP、ETR表现为显著线性正相关,而且其相关性在中等氮素水平达到最高;Pn与Gs、IWUE之间的相关性因处理不同而异,证明施氮能够显著提高光合机构开放比例、捕捉光量子的能力和电子传递速率,从而改善光合机构效能;氮素对气体交换的影响受水分条件的显著作用,从而影响叶片水分利用效率,但由于干旱导致Pn和IWUE的降低可以通过增施氮肥得到部分补偿。     

Effects of partial root-zone drying on yield,tuber size and water use efficiency in potato under field conditions

Water resources are limited for irrigation worldwide; therefore, there is a need for water-saving irrigation practices to be explored. Partial root-zone drying (PRD) is a new water-saving irrigation strategy being tested in many crop species. Experiments were conducted in potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Folva) under open field conditions in 2004 and under a mobile rainout shelter in 2005. Two subsurface irrigation treatments were studied: full irrigation (FI) receiving 100% of evaporative demands, 50.1 and 201 mm of irrigation water in the 2 years, to keep it close to field capacity; and PRD, which received 21.7 and 140 mm of irrigation in 2004 and 2005 respectively. Due to rain in 2004, the PRD treatment was imposed over a short period only during the late tuber filling and maturing stages. In 2005, the PRD treatment was imposed during the whole period of tuber filling and tuber maturation. The PRD treatment was shifted from one side to the other side of potato plants every 5–10 days. Especially in 2005 it was apparent that stomatal conductance was generally lower in the PRD than in the FI plants, whereas leaf water potential tended to be lower in only a few instances. During the treatment period, plants were harvested five times, and no significant difference was found between the treatments in leaf area index, top dry mass and tuber yield. At final harvest, tubers were graded based on size into four classes C₁–C₄, of which the yield of the important marketable class (C₂) was significantly higher (20%) in the PRD than in the FI treatment. Compared with FI, the PRD treatment saved 30% of irrigation water while maintaining tuber yield, leading to a 61% increase of irrigation water use efficiency. The limited data of 2004 support these results. In summary, PRD is a promising water-saving irrigation strategy for potato production in areas with limited water resources.