The response of sap flow in apple roots to localised irrigation

The oft-touted reason for the efficiency of drip irrigation is that roots can preferentially take up water from localised zones of water availability. Here we provide definitive evidence of this phenomenon. The heat-pulse technique was used to monitor rates of sap flow in the stem and in two large surface roots of a 14 year old apple tree (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Braeburn). The aim was to determine the ability of an apple tree to modify its pattern of root water uptake in response to local changes in soil water content. We monitored the water status of the soil close to the instrumented roots by using time domain reflectometry (TDR) to measure the soil's volumetric water content, θ, and by using ceramic-tipped tensiometers to measure the soil's matric pressure head, h. A variation in soil water content surrounding the two roots was achieved by supplying a single localised irrigation to just one root, while the other root remained unwatered. Sap flow in the wetted root increased straight away by 50% following this drip irrigation which wetted the soil over a zone of approximately 0.6 m in diameter and 0.25 m in depth. Sap flow in the wetted root remained elevated for a period of about 10 days, that is until most of the irrigation water had been consumed. A comparative study of localised and uniform irrigation was then made. Following irrigation over the full root zone no further change in sap flow in the previously wetted root was observed when referenced to the corresponding sap flow measured in the stem of the apple tree. However sap flow in the previously dry root responded to subsequent irrigations by increasing its flow rate by almost 50%. These results show that apple roots have the capacity to transfer water from local wet areas at much higher rates than normally occurs when the entire root zone is supplied with water. They are also able to shift rapidly their pattern of uptake and begin to extract water preferentially from those regions where it is more freely available. Such an ability supports the use of drip irrigation for the efficient use of scarce water resources. We conclude that the soil-to-root pathway represents a major resistance to water uptake by apple, even at the relatively high soil water pressure heads developed during parts of this experiment, during which the tree was not even under any stress.     

Estimation of soil-water extraction patterns by roots

In this paper, a simple method for estimation of soil-water extraction distribution by roots S (z) is described. S (z) is determined mainly by the distribution of the surface area of the roots. From field measurements it followed that typical distribution of the surface area of roots, as well as their mass, in a sufficiently moist soil has an exponential form. If plant canopy transpiration is potential, soil-water extraction distribution S(z) can be obtained from the root mass distribution. In case soil water potential is less than ‘critical’ and, therefore, the transpiration is lower than the potential transpiration, S(z) will be proportional to the soil water potential.Water-extraction patterns of maize roots, calculated from field data, were compared with calculated S (z) -values. There was a good agreement between that S (z) determined from field measurements and that calculated by means of the suggested method. In the case where the transpiration was potential, S (z) was exponential and was similar to the root mass distribution.     

Root system parameters determining water uptake of field crops

Summary The distribution of a crop rooting system can be defined by root length density (RD), root length (RL) per soil layer of depth z, sum of root length (SRL) in the soil profile (total root length) or rooting depth (z _r . The combined influence of these root system parameters on water uptake is not well understood. In the present study, field data are evaluated and an attempt is made to relate a daily maximum water uptake rate (WU_max) per unit soil volume as measured in different soil layers of the profile to relevant parameters of the root system. We hypothesize that local uptake rate is at its maximum when neither soil nor root characteristics limit water flow to, and uptake by, roots. Leaf area index and the potential evapotranspiration rate (ET _p ) are also important in determining WU_max, since these quantities influence transpiration and hence total crop water uptake rate. Field studies in Germany and in Western Australia showed that WU_max depends on RD. In general, there was a strong correlation between the maximum water uptake rate of a soil layer (LWU_max) normalized by ET _p and RL normalized by SRL. The quantity LWU_max · ET _p ^-1 was linearly related to (RL/SRL)^1/2. The data show that the single root model will not predict the influence of RD on WU_max correctly under field conditions when water-extracting neighboring roots may cause non-steady-state conditions within the time span of sequential observations. Since the rooting depth z _r was linearly related to (SRL)^1/2, the relation: LWU_max · ET _p ^-1 = f (RL^1/2/z _r ) holds. Furthermore it was found that the maximum specific uptake rate per cm root length UR_max was inversely related to RD^1/2 and to SRL^1/2 or z _r of the profile. Observed high specific uptake rates of shallow rooted crops might be explained not only by their lower RD-values but also by the additional effect of a low z _r . The relations found in this paper are helpful for realistically describing the sink term of dynamic water uptake models.Growing plants extract water from the soil to meet transpiration needs. Rates of transpiration and of water uptake are set by evaporative demand and by plant and soil factors which influence capacity to meet that demand. These factors include crop canopy size and leaf characteristics, root system characteristics and hydraulic properties of the soil and the soil-root interface. Soil and root system properties vary with depth and all factors vary in time, so that parameters related to them require constant updating over a crop season.Dynamic simulation models describe water uptake by root systems under field conditions as a function of soil depth and time. Many of these simulation approaches are based on Gardner's (1960) single root model (Feddes 1981). These simulation procedures follow the assumption that water uptake is proportional to a difference in water potential between the bulk soil and the root surface or the plant interior, to the hydraulic conductivity of the soil-plant system and to the effectiveness of competing roots in water uptake. The effectiveness factor accounts more or less empirically for the influence of various root system parameters on water uptake such as percentage of active roots absorbing water, root surface permeability, root length density determining the distance between neighbouring roots, or total root length and depth of the root system. Such models however, will not always reflect correctly the influence of root system characteristics on water uptake since these assumptions have rarely been tested under field conditions. In many instances, there is better agreement between simulated and measured total water use of plants than between predicted and observed water depletion by roots within individual layers of the soil profile (Alaerts et al. 1985).Water uptake by an expanding root system as a function of depth and time has been studied under field conditions for several crops (listed in Herkelrath et al. 1977a; Feddes 1981; Hamblin 1985). They show that the dynamics of water uptake depend on root length density and the availability of soil water. However, the combined influence of root length density, total root length and rooting depth on the water uptake pattern has not been assessed. An evaluation of root system parameters with respect to soil water extraction should aid our understanding of how roots perform under field conditions and may assist our efforts to formulate the water uptake function of roots in dynamic simulation studies more realistically.The aim of the present investigation is to develop an approach that relates measured water uptake rates to relevant parameters of the root systems. This approach will be confined to situations where water uptake in a soil layer is not restricted by unfavorable soil conditions, such as in wet soil, by insufficient aeration and, in dry soil, by reduced water flow towards roots or by increased contact resistance (Herkelrath et al. 1977b). We will define a maximum water uptake rate WU_max that is neither soil-limited nor appreciably limited by the decreasing permeability of aging roots. This WU_max will be related to relevant root system parameters as they exist when WU_max is observed. Hence, water uptake by roots in a very wet, as well as in a dry soil, has been excluded from consideration.     

Groundwater uptake and sustainability of Acacia and Prosopis plantations in Southern Pakistan

Farm woodlots or plantations of salt tolerant trees may provide an economic use or reclamation treatment for salt-affected farmland within the irrigation regions of the Indus Valley, but the hydrological impact and sustainability of such plantations are unknown. Detailed measurements of plantation water use, watertable depth and soil conditions were recorded over 2 years in two small plantations with contrasting soil and groundwater salinity at Tando Jam in the Sindh province of Pakistan. The species monitored were Acacia nilotica, A. ampliceps and Prosopis pallida. Annual water use by 3- to 5-year old A. nilotica was 1248 mm on the severely saline site and 2225 mm on the mildly saline site. Water use by the other species was less than 25% of these rates, but this difference is largely explained by their lower density in terms of sapwood area per hectare. Water use by A. nilotica was considerably greater than annual rainfall, implying uptake of groundwater which was confirmed both by piezometric observations and chloride balance modelling to predict vertical water movement through the root zone. Plantation watertables fell from 1.7 m below surface in March to over 2.9 m in September, then rose again during irrigation of the surrounding farmland. Root zone salt concentrations remained high at the more saline site throughout the monitoring period, but at the less saline site there was evidence of increasing root zone salinity as salt accumulated in areas of the profile subject to root water uptake. Salt concentration in the upper profile decreased as the soil dried and water was absorbed from greater depth. Plantations using saline groundwater may be sustainable if occasional leaching and other salt-removing processes are sufficient to maintain root zone salinity at a level which does not excessively reduce tree growth.     

Validation of a root water uptake model to estimate transpiration constraints

Experimental results obtained from a greenhouse trial with common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants performed to test model hypotheses regarding the onset of limiting hydraulic conditions and the shape of the transpiration reduction curve in the falling rate phase are presented. According to these hypotheses based on simulations with an upscaled single-root model, the matric flux potential at the onset of limiting hydraulic conditions is as a function of root length density and potential transpiration rate, while the relative transpiration in the falling rate phase equals the relative matric flux potential. Transpiration of bean plants in water stressed pots with four different soils was determined daily by weighing and compared to values obtained from non-stressed pots. This procedure allowed determining the onset of the falling rate phase and corresponding soil hydraulic conditions. At the onset of the falling rate phase, the value of matric flux potential M_l showed to differ in order of magnitude from the model predicted value for three out of four soils. This difference between model and experiment can be explained by the heterogeneity of the root distribution which is not considered by the model. An empirical factor to deal with this heterogeneity should be included in the model to improve predictions. Comparing the predictions of relative transpiration in the falling rate phase using a linear shape with water content, pressure head or matric flux potential, the matric flux potential based reduction function, in agreement with the hypothesis, showed the best performance, while the pressure head based equation resulted in the highest deviations between observed and predicted values of relative transpiration rates.     

Effect of irrigation methods on root development and profile soil water uptake in winter wheat

The 2-year field experiments were carried out to research the effect of different irrigation methods, namely border irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and surface drip irrigation, on root development and profile water uptake in winter wheat. Results showed that the main root distribution zone moved upward under sprinkler and surface drip irrigation when compared to the traditional border irrigation. Profile root distribution pattern changed with irrigation methods. Soil profile water uptake was correlated to the root system and soil water dynamics. Due to the appropriate soil water and higher root density in the surface soil layer under sprinkler and surface drip irrigation, the main water uptake zone was concentrated in the upper layer. Because of the water deficit in the surface layer under border irrigation, water uptake in 50–100 cm depth was stimulated, which caused the main uptake zone downward. The amount and pattern of root water uptake varied with irrigation methods. This may provide valuable information on the aspect of agricultural management.     

Physical and hydraulic properties of inorganic amendments and modeling their effects on water movement in sand-based root zones

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical and hydraulic properties of selected inorganic amendments and their mixtures with sand (85:15% v/v), and model how they affect the water movement in sand-based root zones of sports fields. The amendments are composed of: calcined diatomaceous earth materials (Axis and Isolite); zeolites (Clinolite and Ecolite); and calcined clays (Moltan Plus, Profile, and Pro??s Choice). The bulk density, particle density, porosity, particle-size distribution, saturated hydraulic conductivity, water retention and available water-holding capacity were analyzed. A numerical model was applied to simulate soil water movement for a scenario with and without amendment incorporation. The results showed that amendments significantly (P?<?0.05) improved the physical and hydraulic properties of root zone. Modeling results revealed reduced surface dryness, higher volumetric water content and storage and higher initial root water uptake rate for the root zones with amendments. These results suggest there are multiple benefits of amended root zones in terms of improvement of the physical and hydraulic properties of sand-based root zones.     

Mechanism of improved phosphate uptake efficiency in banana seedlings on acidic soils using fertigation

Fertigation improves nutrient uptake efficiency greatly, while the mechanism of increased nutrient uptake efficiency remains unclear. In this study, the effects of conventional phosphate (P) fertilization (by mixing fertilizer with soils) and fertigation (by dissolving fertilizer in water) on P uptake were compared in banana (Musa sapientum) seedlings. Results indicated that, compared with conventional fertilization, fertigation increased the concentration of available P by 108% and decreased the P sorption index by 31% in the 0-8 cm surface soil of banana roots. Fertigation enhanced the transformation of different P fractions, increased the concentrations of aluminum-bound P (Al-P), iron-bound P (Fe-P) and occluded-P (O-P), and decreased the pH value by 0.3 units. However fertigation did not influence the activity of acid phosphatase, but increased microbial biomass and root activity by 25.5-67.8%. Furthermore, fertigation increased the root distribution in the 0-8 cm soil layer by 7.8-9.4% compared with conventional fertilization. These results suggest that fertigation increases P uptake efficiency as the result of increased root activity, root distribution, microbial biomass and reduced P sorption index in the surface soil of banana seedlings.     

Deficiency of water can enhance root respiration rate of drought-sensitive but not drought-tolerant spring wheat

Root respiration was measured in vivo by infrared gas analysis of complete root systems in drought-sensitive (Longchun 8139-2) and drought-tolerant (Dingxi 24) spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars. Plants were grown in sand culture for 3 weeks under the following regimes: (a) water sufficiency, (b) moderate drought stress or (c) severe drought stress. The aim was to study the acclimation to drought stress in terms of changes in root growth, root respiration and energy requirement for water uptake. Drought stress increased the root:shoot ratio of both varieties. Roots of water-sufficient treatments respired 4.03 and 2.87 mg glucose h⁻¹ g⁻¹ in Longchun 8139-2 and Dingxi 24, respectively. However, severe drought stress enhanced root respiration of Longchun 8139-2 and Dingxi 24 to 6.52 and 3.01 mg glucose h⁻¹ g⁻¹, respectively. Compared with water-sufficient plants, drought-sensitive spring wheat (Longchun 8139-2) used a relatively higher amount of glucose to absorb water in drought stress treatment, especially in severe drought stress. The drought-resistant spring wheat Dingxi 24 used lower amount of glucose to absorb water in drought stress conditions, relative to drought-sensitive plants. In the arid and semi-arid region of the Losses Plateau, drought-resistant wheat species have many advantages over drought-sensitive species.     

Effective irrigation uniformity as related to root zone depth

Summary In models used for relating the yield to irrigation uniformity it has been assumed that the spatial distribution of irrigation water, as measured at the soil surface, is indeed the water distribution at any depth throughout the root zone. In the present paper the distribution of infiltrated water within the soil bulk, as determined by an analytic solution of the two-dimensional unsaturated flow equation, did not conform to this assumption. A new alternative definition of irrigation uniformity is proposed under the assumption that water uptake by roots does not affect the flux distribution within the soil profile. In this analysis the spatial distribution of irrigation water flux at the soil surface, which is the upper boundary condition of the flow equation, is assumed to be a sine function. The solution to this problem indicates that there is a damping effect, which increases with soil depth, on the surface flux fluctuations. Furthermore, the actual irrigation uniformity at a given depth below the soil surface depends upon the initial uniformity at the surface and the distance between adjacent water sources. The closer the water sources are to each other, the shallower is the depth needed to damp the oscillations down to a certain level. This may explain why the actual uniformity of drip irrigation is high while the detailed distribution is very nonuniform and on the other hand, why the actual uniformity of sprinkler guns is low while the detailed actual distribution is close to uniform. Two uniformity coefficients are derived in this study: 1. A depth dependent coefficient which is made up of the damping factor that multiplies the flux fluctuations at the soil surface; 2. An effective uniformity coefficient, which is an average of the depth dependent coefficient over a part or the entire root zone. Different degrees of uniformity are expected when water is applied by different irrigation systems having similar uniformity coefficients at the soil surface, but dissimilar distances between the emitters. Assuming that crop yield depends to some extent on the uniformity of water depth actually available to the roots, the yields associated with such irrigation systems will probably also vary.     

Development and evaluation of integrated water and nitrogen model for maize

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important food crop for irrigated regions in the world. Its growth and production may be estimated by different crop models in which various relationships between growth and environmental parameters are used. For simulation of maize growth and grain yield, a simulation model was developed (Maize Simulation Model, MSM). Dynamic flow of water, nitrogen (N) movement, and heat flow through the soil were simulated in unsteady state conditions by numerical analysis in soil depth of 0–1.8 m. Hourly potential evapotranspiration [ET_p(t)] for maize field was estimated directly by Penman–Monteith method. Hourly potential evaporation [E_p(t)] was estimated based on ET_p(t) and canopy shadow projection. Actual evaporation of soil surface was estimated based on its potential value, relative humidity of air, water pressure head and temperature at soil surface layer. Actual transpiration (T_a(t)) was estimated based on soil water content and root distribution at each soil layer. Hourly N uptake by plant was simulated by N mass flow and diffusion processes. Hourly top dry matter production (HDMA^j + 1, where j is number of hours after planting) was estimated by hourly corrected intercepted radiation (RSLT^j + 1) by plant leaves [determined from leaf area index (LAI^j + 1)] with air temperature, the maximum and minimum plant top N concentration and the amounts of nitrogen uptake. The value of LAI^j + 1 at each hour was estimated by the accumulated top dry matter production at previous hour using an empirical equation. Maize grain yield was estimated by a relationship between harvest index and seasonal plant top dry matter production. The model was calibrated using data obtained under field conditions by a line source sprinkler irrigation. When the values of water and nitrogen application were optimum, grain yield (moisture content of 15.5%) was 16.2 Mg ha⁻¹. Model was validated using two independent experimental data obtained from other experiments in the Badjgah (Fars province). The experimental results validated the proposed simulation model fairly well.     

A mathematical model for simulating water balances in cropped sandy soil with conventional flood irrigation applied

In this paper, a model that integrates various complex model components for the purposes of water balance modeling throughout crop development in arid inland region under the conventional flood irrigation practiced is presented. These components are modules for calculating dynamic soil water content based Richard's equation, potential and actual evapotranspiration, and crop root water uptake. Soil water content in the active root zone and soil evaporation simulation obtained from the model were test using field data in 2003. The low values of MARE and high values of R² and PE in the active root zone of soil profile as well as daily soil evaporation indicated that the soil water balance simulation model presented in the paper can be used with reliable accuracy to simulate the components of water balance in cropped sandy soil under the conventional flood irrigation condition in arid inland regions. The model simulation on components of water balance using observed field data in 2004 indicated that large quantities – about 43% of irrigation water (amounting to 840 mm) – were consumed by deep percolation, only small (less than 41%) proportions of irrigation water used by the plants for transpiration. The current irrigation scheme is characterized by the unreasonable agricultural water management with the waste of water in the irrigational system in this region. The impact of irrigation scheduling on water balance presented in this paper showed that the reasonable irrigation scheme with more frequent irrigation and less amounts is more suitable for the irrigation of spring wheat in Heihe River basin, northwest China. Therefore, to establish a decision-making system for agricultural irrigation scheme and to utilize the limited water resources in this region have become an urgent problem that needs to be solved.     

Spatial and temporal distribution of root water uptake of an almond tree under microsprinkler irrigation

The spatial and temporal pattern of root water uptake in partially wetted soil was studied in the root zone of a 6-year-old microsprinkler-irrigated almond tree. The water balance of about one quarter of the root zone’s wetted soil volume (2.0×2.0×0.9 m³) was determined by catch cans, neutron probe and tensiometer measurements. Twenty-five neutron probe access tubes with catch cans were distributed in a square grid of 50 cm spacing. Eight pairs of tensiometers were installed at depths of 82.5 and 97.5 cm in a regular pattern between the access tubes. Neutron probe readings at 15 cm depth increments and tensiometer readings were taken at time intervals of 4–24 h. The rate of soil water depletion was calculated and used to estimate the spatial and temporal distributions of root water uptake. Soil water dynamics was studied in two stages: (1) during a week of conventional irrigation management with three irrigation events; and (2) during a period of 16 days without irrigation, after the monitored soil volume was thoroughly moistened so that soil water was easily available everywhere, initially. The zones of maximum root water uptake were the same for both stages in periods of high local rates of water application. After water applications, root water uptake occurred initially near the tree trunk and then progressed towards the root system periphery, thereby changing locations of maximum root water uptake and shifting to root zone regions with minimum soil water stress.

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Rice root growth and nutrient uptake as influenced by organic manure in continuously and alternately flooded paddy soils

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) root systems play an important role in uptake of water and nutrients from soil. A 4-year field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different nutrient and water regimes on root growth by measuring the root diameter, root density, and root activity. Three nutrient regimes were used: (i) combined application of chemical fertilizers with farmyard manure (CM), (ii) integrated use of chemical fertilizers and wheat straw (CS), (iii) chemical fertilizers only (CK). Two soil moisture regimes included continuous waterlogging (CWL) and alternate wetting and drying (AWD). Incorporation of organic sources into paddy soil markedly improved root morphological characteristics of rice plant. In the alternate wetting and drying (AWD), root length density (RLD), and root weight density (RWD) for organic fertilization treatments (CS and CM) increased by 30 and 40%, respectively, as compared with the sole chemical fertilization (CF). Relative to root activity, CWL had adverse effects on root active absorption area (AAA), root oxidation ability of alpha-naphthylamine (α-NA) (ROA), and root surface phosphatase (RSP) of rice plants treated by integrated application of organic and inorganic fertilizers. In particular for the CM treatment, the AAA, ROA, and RSP of rice plants by the continuous flooding decreased by 22, 28, and 35%, respectively, compared to the alternately flooded regime. In the water regime of AWD, incorporation of organic manure significantly increased N, P, and K uptake by rice plants and facilitated the allocation and transfer of nutrient elements, especially P to rice ears and grains. This resulted in significant increases in the filled grains panicle⁻¹, 1000-grain weight and grain yield. The beneficial effects of integrated use of organic and mineral fertilizers on grain yield were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by the water regime of CWL.     

On quantifying soil water deficit of a partially wetted root zone by the response of canopy or leaf conductance

Quantifying the soil water deficit (SWD) and its relation to canopy or leaf conductance is essential for application of the Penman–Monteith equation to water-stressed plants. As the water uptake of a single root depends on the water content of the soil in its immediate vicinity, the non-uniform distribution of water and roots in the soil profile does not allow simple quantification of SWD from soil-based measurements. Using measurements of stem sap flux (with a heat pulse technique), soil evaporation (with micro-lysimeters) and meteorological parameters the canopy conductance was obtained through inversion of the Penman–Monteith equation. SWD was evaluated by averaging the soil water content profile of the root zone (monitored by layers with the TDR sensors) weighted by root distribution of the layers. The average canopy conductance at midday (11:00–15:00, Israel Summer Time), denoted as G_noon, was computed for each day of the experimental period. Stable summer weather, typical of the Mediterranean region, and the fully developed crop canopy, made water stress the only plausible cause of a G_noon decline. However, the daily decline of G_noon did not occur at the same weighted average soil water content during the successive drying cycles. For the cycle with less irrigation, the decline in G_noon occurred at higher soil moisture levels. Alternatively, when SWD was determined from the water balance, i.e., by defining water deficit as irrigation minus accumulated evapotranspiration, the G_noon decline occurred at the same value of water deficit for all irrigation cycles. We conclude that a climate-based soil water balance model is a better means of quantifying SWD than a solely soil-based measurement.     

Effects of irrigation strategies and soils on field grown potatoes: Root distribution

Root distribution of field grown potatoes (cv. Folva) was studied in 4.32 m² lysimeters and subjected to full (FI), deficit (DI), and partial root-zone drying (PRD) irrigation strategies. Drip irrigation was applied for all irrigations. Irrigations were run in three different soils: coarse sand, loamy sand, and sandy loam. Irrigation treatments started after tuber bulking and lasted until final harvest with PRD and DI receiving 65% of FI. Potatoes irrigated with water-saving irrigation techniques (PRD and DI) did not show statistically different dry root mass and root length density (RLD, cm root per cm³ soil) compared with root development in fully irrigated (FI) potatoes. Highest RLD existed in the top 30-40 cm of the ridge below which it decreased sharply. The RLD was distributed homogenously along the ridge and furrow but heterogeneously across the ridge and furrow with highest root density in the furrow. Most roots accumulated in the surface layers of coarse sand as compared to the other soil types. In the deep soil profile (30-70 cm) a higher root density was found in loamy sand compared with the sandy loam and coarse sand. Approximately twice the amounts of roots were found below the furrows compared with the corresponding layers below the ridges. The RLD values in the soil profile of the ridges and the furrows followed the Gerwitz and Page model: RLD = α × exp(−β × z). The highest value of surface root density (α) and rate of change in density (β) was found in coarse sand while the lowest values of α and β were found in the sandy loam and loamy sand. The model estimated the effective rooting depth in coarse sand and sandy loam quite well but did slightly overestimate it in the loamy sand. Statistical analysis showed that one α and β value can be used for each soil irrespective of the irrigation treatment. Thus, the effective rooting depths corresponding to root length densities of 0.1 and 0.25 cm cm⁻³ for sandy loam, loamy sand, and coarse sand soils were 99, 141, and 94 cm, and 80, 115, and 78 cm, respectively, calculated from top of the ridge. The findings of this study can be used in practice for efficient use of water and nutrients in the field.     

Wheat root distribution,water extraction pattern and grain yield as influenced by time and rate of irrigation

The effect of first irrigation (26, 40 and 54 days after seeding) and the rate of irrigation (5.5, 7.5 and 9.5 cm) applied subsequently at $\text{IW}\text{E}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>pan</mtext>}}$ ratio of 0.9 on wheat root distribution, water extraction pattern and grain yield was studied on a barrier-free, sandy loam soil. The crop developed a more extensive root system when the first irrigation was applied after 26 days than after 40 and 54 days. With the first irrigation on the 26th day, the crop, receiving subsequent irrigations less frequently but at a heavier rate, developed a deeper root system than the crop receiving frequent, light irrigations. The water extraction pattern corresponded with the root distribution pattern. A relatively small difference in root density in the deeper layers caused a greater difference in soil water content than in the upper layers. Light and frequent irrigations produced maximum grain yields. However, for developing an extensive root system and enhancing water utilization in the subsoil, an early, light irrigation with subsequent irrigations applied less frequently at a relatively heavier rate seems desirable.     

Synthetic and organic mulching and nitrogen effect on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a semi-arid environment

Field experiments were conducted in 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 to evaluate the relative performance of synthetic (black polyethylene) and organic (paddy husk and straw) mulches on soil and plant water status vis-a-vis N uptake in wheat in a semi-arid environment of India. Scope of better utilization of soil moisture was documented through all the mulches, especially during initial crop growth stages, when the moisture content was 1-3% higher in mulches. Soil temperature was more moderate under organic mulches. Paddy husk recorded significantly higher plant biomass, while the effect of mulching in enhancing root growth was clearly documented. Organic mulches produced more roots (25 and 40% higher root weight and root length densities compared to no-mulch) in sub-surface (>0.15 m) layers, probably due to greater retention of soil moisture in deeper layers and relatively narrow range of soil temperature changes under these systems. Incremental N dose significantly improved all the plant parameters in both mulch and no-mulch treatments. Grain yield was 13-21% higher under mulch and so with increasing N levels. Nitrogen uptake was higher in organic mulches and also with higher N doses, while polyethylene mulch showed mixed trend. Mulches were effective in reducing 3-11% crop water use and improved its efficiency by 25%. Grain yield and biomass were well-correlated with leaf area index (r = 0.87 and 0.91, respectively) and water use was better correlated with root length than its weight. Results indicated substantial improvement in water and N use efficiency and crop growth in wheat under surface mulching, and the organic mulches, especially rice husk performed better than synthetic mulches.     

Simulation of soil water dynamics under subsurface drip irrigation from line sources

A mathematical model which describes water flow under subsurface drip lines taking into account root water uptake, evaporation of soil water from the soil surface and hysteresis in the soil water characteristic curve θ(H) is presented. The model performance in simulating soil water dynamics was evaluated by comparing the predicted soil water content values with both those of Hydrus 2D model and those of an analytical solution for a buried single strip source. Soil water distribution patterns for three soils (loamy sand, silt, silty clay loam) and two discharge rates (2 and 4 l m⁻¹ h⁻¹) at four different times are presented. The numerical results showed that the soil wetting pattern mainly depends on soil hydraulic properties; that at a time equal to irrigation duration decreasing the discharge rate of the line sources but maintaining the applied irrigation depth, the vertical and horizontal components of the wetting front were increased; that at a time equal to the total simulation time the discharge rate has no effect on the actual transpiration and actual soil evaporation and a small effect on deep percolation. Also the numerical results showed that when the soil evaporation is neglected the soil water is more easily taken up by the plant roots.     

A distributed agro-hydrological model for irrigation water demand assessment

The actual irrigation water demand in a district in Sicily (Italy) was assessed by the spatially distributed agro-hydrological model SIMODIS (SImulation and Management of On-Demand Irrigation Systems). For each element with homogeneous crop and soil conditions, in which the considered area can be divided, the model numerically solves the one-dimensional water flow equation with vegetation parameters derived from Earth Observation data. In SIMODIS, the irrigation scheduling is set by means of two parameters: the threshold value of soil water pressure head in the root zone, h_m, and the fraction of soil water deficit to be re-filled, Δ. This study investigated the possibility of identifying a couple of irrigation parameters (h_m, Δ) which allowed to reproduce the actual irrigation water demand, given that the study area was adequately characterized with regard to the spatial distribution of the soil hydraulic properties and the vegetation conditions throughout the irrigation season. The spatial distribution of the soil and vegetation properties of the study area, covering an irrigation district of approximately 800 ha, was accurately characterized during the summer of 2002. The soil hydraulic properties were identified by an intensive undisturbed soil sampling, while the vegetation cover was characterized in terms of leaf area index, surface albedo and fractional soil cover by analysing multispectral LandSat TM imageries. Irrigation volumes were monitored at parcel scale.A reference scenario with h_m = −700 cm and Δ = 50% (corresponding to a mean actual to potential transpiration ratio of 0.95) allowed to reproduce the spatial and temporal distribution of the actual irrigation demand at the district scale. The spatial variability of the crop conditions in the considered area had much more influence to assess the irrigation water demand than the soil hydraulic spatial variability. The proposed approach showed that, under the agro-climatic conditions typical for the Mediterranean region, SIMODIS may be a valuable tool in managing irrigation to increase water productivity.