Chemical composition of throughfall and stemflow from citrus canopies 1 |
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| Authors: | Y C Li A K Alva D V Calvert M Zhang |
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| Institution: | 1. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Tropical Research and Education Center , University of Florida , Homestead, FL, 33031;2. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Citrus Research and Education Center , University of Florida , Lake Alfred, FL, 33850–2299;3. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Tropical Research and Education Center , University of Florida , Fort Pierce, FL, 34945–3138 |
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| Abstract: | The main objective of this study was to examine the chemical composition of incident rainfall, throughfall, and stemflow from canopies of ‘Marsh’ grapefruit, and ‘Hamlin’ and ‘Temple’ orange trees. The concentrations of ammonium (NH4) and nitrate (NO3) were lower in the throughfall under the canopy or along the dripline as compared to those in the incident rainfall. This reduction is due to absorption of those nitrogen (N) forms by the tree foliage, thus, provides an evidence of contribution of (N) through wet deposition to N requirement of the trees. In contrast, concentrations of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and chloride (Cl) were greater in the throughfall or along the dripline compared to those in the incident rainfall. This is due to possible leaching of those elements from the foliage by the rainwater. Stemflow and throughfall also had greater pH and electrical conductivity (only in two out of three citrus varieties) as compared to the incident rainfall. Good correlation were found between concentrations of either K, Mg, or Ca, and Cl, phosphorus (P), or sulfur (S) in the incident rainfall for two storm events. |
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