Effect of surface and subsurface drip fertigation on sweet corn rooting,uptake, dry matter production and yield

Summary Subsurface (SS) drip fertigation may increase sweet corn ear yield relative to surface (S) fertigation, because immobile nutrients are delivered at the center of the soil-root volume rather than on top of the soil. A container (1 × 1 × 1 m) experiment was conducted on a loessial soil (Haploxeralf) to test this hypothesis. Marketable and total ear yields were higher for tricklers placed 30 cm below the soil surface (3.22 and 4.90 kg m^–2, respectively) than on the surface (2.86 and 4.30 kg m^–2, respectively). Total fresh weight, dry matter production and plant height during the growing season were also greater for subsurface emitters. Deep trickler position significantly increased P and K content at the center of the root zone. The enhanced concentration apparently stimulated plant rooting which, together with the higher nutrient activity in the soil solution, increased P and K uptake rates, which in turn facilitated the higher dry matter production and commercial yield relative to surface trickler placement. The higher root activity in SS than in S fertigation was reconfirmed by soil air CO₂ concentration measurements which showed significant differences between the two treatments during the growth season.On studies in the ARO from The College of Postgraduates of Mexico, Montecillos, Mexico.     

Tomato root distribution, yield and fruit quality under different subsurface drip irrigation regimes and depths

Tomato rooting patterns, yield and fruit quality were evaluated in a field trial where three irrigation regimes [0.6 (DI), 0.9 (DII) and 1.2 ET_c (DIII)] and three drip irrigation depths [surface (R0), subsurface at 20 cm depth (RI) and subsurface at 40 cm depth (RII)] were imposed following a split-plot experimental design, with four replications. The behaviour of the root system in response to the irrigation treatments was evaluated using minirhizotrons installed between two plants, near the plant row. Root-length intensity (L _a)—length of the root per unit of minirhizotron surface area (cm cm⁻²)—was measured at four crop stages. For all sampling dates, none of the factors studied were found to influence L _a or rooting depth significantly or the interaction between treatments. For all treatments most of the root system was concentrated in the top 40 cm of the soil profile, where the root-length density ranged from 0.5 cm cm⁻³ to 1.4 cm cm⁻³ . The response of tomato fruits to an increase in the water applied was similar in quantitative and qualitative terms for the different drip irrigation depths. Water applied by drip irrigation had the opposite effect on commercial yield (t ha⁻¹) and soluble solids (°Brix) (r=−0.82, P<0.001), however, yield in terms of total soluble solids (t ha⁻¹) was the same for the 0.9 and 1.2 ET_c. The increase in commercial yield can be described by the equation      

Tomato yield, biomass accumulation, root distribution and irrigation water use efficiency on a sandy soil, as affected by nitrogen rate and irrigation scheduling

Florida is the largest producer of fresh-market tomatoes in the United States. Production areas are typically intensively managed with high inputs of fertilizer and irrigation. The objectives of this 3-year field study were to evaluate the interaction between N-fertilizer rates and irrigation scheduling on yield, irrigation water use efficiency (iWUE) and root distribution of tomato cultivated in a plastic mulched/drip irrigated production systems. Experimental treatments included three irrigation scheduling regimes and three N-rates (176, 220 and 230 kg ha⁻¹). Irrigation treatments included were: (1) SUR (surface drip irrigation) both irrigation and fertigation line placed right underneath the plastic mulch; (2) SDI (subsurface drip irrigation) where the irrigation line was placed 0.15 m below the fertigation line which was located on top of the bed; and (3) TIME (conventional control) with irrigation and fertigation lines placed as in SUR and irrigation being applied once a day. Except for the “TIME” treatment all irrigation treatments were controlled by soil moisture sensor (SMS)-based irrigation set at 10% volumetric water content which was allotted five irrigation windows daily and bypassed events if the soil water content exceeded the established threshold. Average marketable fruit yields were 28, 56 and 79 Mg ha⁻¹ for years 1-3, respectively. The SUR treatment required 15-51% less irrigation water when compared to TIME treatments, while the reductions in irrigation water use for SDI were 7-29%. Tomato yield was 11-80% higher for the SUR and SDI treatments than TIME where as N-rate did not affect yield. Root concentration was greatest in the vicinity of the irrigation and fertigation drip lines for all irrigation treatments. At the beginning of reproductive phase about 70-75% of the total root length density (RLD) was concentrated in the 0-15 cm soil layer while 15-20% of the roots were found in the 15-30 cm layer. Corresponding RLD distribution values during the reproductive phase were 68% and 22%, respectively. Root distribution in the soil profile thus appears to be mainly driven by development stage, soil moisture and nutrient availability. It is concluded that use of SDI and SMS-based systems consistently increased tomato yields while greatly improving irrigation water use efficiency and thereby reduced both irrigation water use and potential N leaching.     

Yield, water-use efficiencies and root distribution of soybean, chickpea and pumpkin under different subsurface drip irrigation depths and oxygation treatments in vertisols

Most trickle irrigation in the world is surface drip yet subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) can substantially improve irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) by minimizing evaporative loss and maximizing capture of in-season rainfall by the soil profile. However, SDI emitters are placed at depths, and in many soil types sustained wetting fronts are created that lead to hypoxia of the rhizosphere, which is detrimental to effective plant functioning. Oxygation (aerated irrigation water) can ameliorate hypoxia of SDI crops and realize the full benefit of SDI systems. Oxygation effects on yield, WUE and rooting patterns of soybean, chickpeas, and pumpkin in glasshouse and field trials with SDI at different emitter depths (5, 15, 25, and 35 cm) were evaluated. The effect of oxygation was prominent with increasing emitter depths due to the alleviation of hypoxia. The effect of oxygation on yield in the shallow-rooted crop vegetable soybean was greatest (+43%), and moderate on medium (chickpea +11%) and deep-rooted crops (pumpkin +15%). Oxygation invariably increased season-long WUE (WUE_sl) for fruit and biomass yield and instantaneous leaf transpiration rate. In general, the beneficial effects of oxygation at greater SDI depth on a heavy clay soil were mediated through greater root activity, as observed by general increase in root weight, root length density, and soil respiration in the trialed species. Our data show increased moisture content at depth with a lower soil oxygen concentration causing hypoxia. Oxygation offsets to a degree the negative effect of deep emitter placement on yield and WUE of SDI crops.     

Bell pepper response to surface and subsurface drip irrigation under different fertigation levels

A two-year field experiment was conducted in 2007 and 2008 to investigate different bell pepper responses to subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and surface drip irrigation (DI) under four nitrogen levels: 0, 75, 150, and 300 kg/ha N (N₀, N₇₅, N₁₅₀, and N₃₀₀, respectively). Irrigation interval was set at 4 days. Bell pepper yield under SDI was significantly higher than that under DI by 4% in 2007 (13% in 2008). Water consumption under SDI was lower than that under DI by 6.7% in 2007 (7.3% in 2008). Meanwhile, root length density under SDI was obviously higher than that under DI by 11.8% in 2007 (12.5% in 2008). The percentage of root length below 10-cm soil depth under SDI was higher than that under DI by 7%, proving that SDI promotes crop root growth and enhances downward root development. Soil N residue under SDI was lesser than that under DI. Lastly, SDI with N application of 150 kg/ha is recommended as an optimal fertigation practice in improving bell pepper yield and water-use efficiency, as well as in NO₃ ⁻-N leaching.     

覆膜滴灌条件下灌水量对玉米根系分布特征的影响

根系生长决定了植物吸收养分和水分的能力,在作物生长中扮演了重要的角色。为了探讨水分差异对玉米根系分布规律的影响,在民勤试验站进行了不同灌水量对覆膜滴灌玉米0~100cm土层根系质量、根径及根长的影响研究,结果表明,灌水量对膜下滴灌玉米根系特征产生了重要影响:灌水量越大,其根系所占百分比和根径越大;同一生育时期,各处理不同土层根重变化较大,但其变化规律基本一致,均随着土层深度的增加,根重逐渐减小,0~40cm土层所占的重量百分比较大,同时0~40cm土层平均根径及根长也较大。试验为探索覆膜滴灌条件下玉米根系分布特征提供一定的参考,为完善覆膜滴灌灌溉制度提供一定的指导意义。     

Effects of drip irrigation frequency on soil wetting pattern and potato growth in North China Plain

The effect of irrigation frequency on soil water distribution, potato root distribution, potato tuber yield and water use efficiency was studied in 2001 and 2002 field experiments. Treatments consisted of six different drip irrigation frequencies: N1 (once every day), N2 (once every 2 days), N3 (once every 3 days), N4 (once every 4 days), N6 (once every 6 days) and N8 (once every 8 days), with total drip irrigation water equal for the different frequencies. The results indicated that drip irrigation frequency did affect soil water distribution, depending on potato growing stage, soil depth and distance from the emitter. Under treatment N1, soil matric potential (ψ_m) Variations at depths of 70 and 90 cm showed a larger wetted soil range than was initially expected. Potato root growth was also affected by drip irrigation frequency to some extent: the higher the frequency, the higher was the root length density (RLD) in 0–60 cm soil layer and the lower was the root length density (RWD) in 0–10 cm soil layer. On the other hand, potato roots were not limited in wetted soil volume even when the crop was irrigated at the highest frequency. High frequency irrigation enhanced potato tuber growth and water use efficiency (WUE). Reducing irrigation frequency from N1 to N8 resulted in significant yield reductions by 33.4 and 29.1% in 2001 and 2002, respectively. For total ET, little difference was found among the different irrigation frequency treatments.     

Distribution of grapevine roots and salt under drip and full-ground cover microjet irrigation systems

We describe the three dimensional variation in root length density (L_v) within a quarter of the planting area of Colombard grapevines on Ramsey rootstock grown under drip and full-cover microjet irrigation. Under drip irrigation roots were concentrated under the vine row, whereas under microjet irrigation roots were evenly spread across the planting area. The maximum L_v were 1.2 and 0.6 cm/cm³ and the estimated total root lengths per vine were 32 and 26 km for drip and microjet irrigated vines, respectively. Under drip irrigation, 56% of the variation in L_v could be accounted for as a function of depth and radial distance into the row, and under microjet, 45% of the variation in L_v could be accounted for as a function of depth. Twenty five per cent of the vine roots were in soil with an air filled porosity at field capacity of 6% or less. Based on the variation of root length per unit area (L_a) across a quarter of the planting area and between vines, we concluded that selection of a location at which the L_a would be representative of that in the entire irrigation unit is feasible in microjet irrigated vines but not in those irrigated with drip. The absence of a location representative of L_a confounds the scheduling of drip irrigation based solely on measurements of soil moisture.     

地下滴灌条件下棉花土壤水分运移田间试验研究

在棉花大田实地测量的基础上,对地下滴灌条件下棉花不同生育期内土壤含水量进行分析,同时对实际应用效果进行监测,结果表明:地下滴灌影响土壤水分变化深度主要为20~60 cm,棉花根系主要集中在15~50 cm。通过对棉花常规地面沟灌、膜下滴灌和地下滴灌土壤水分变化试验研究分析和应用效果监测,棉花地下滴灌节水增产效果显著。     

防堵塞地下滴灌系统设计与性能试验分析

为解决滴灌过程中地下滴灌系统的堵塞问题,设计了新型防堵塞地下滴灌系统并阐述了其工作原理、设计要求,分析并确定地下滴灌系统水压为15~25 kPa,出水孔间距为300 mm,防护管内壁与毛管的外壁距离为40 mm时,灌水均匀度可达到85%以上;通过该系统对酿酒葡萄赤霞珠生长的影响试验结果表明,防堵塞地下滴灌与膜下滴灌、普通滴灌相比能保持20~60 cm深度土壤含水率的稳定性,明显提高植株根冠比,增加有效根表面积,加快根系周转与更新,进而增强植株根系对水分和养分的吸收能力。     

Effect of water shortage on yield, and protein and mineral compositions of drip-irrigated sweet corn in sustainable agricultural systems

Water is a natural resource of prime value that is very often limited and costly, particularly in semi-arid regions. While traditional irrigation methods increase the amount of surface runoff, drip irrigation provides efficient use of the limited water resources. This study was conducted to determine the water-yield relationship and the quality of sweet corn grown under deficit drip irrigation in 1998 and 1999 in Sanliurfa, Turkey. Irrigation treatments analysed in this study were full irrigation as well as 10, 20 and 30% deficiency of Class A pan evaporation. In both years, water use efficiency ranged between 1.18 and 1.36 kg m⁻³, and irrigation water use efficiency ranged between 1.36 and 1.62 kg m⁻³. The yield response factor (k_y) or the ratio of the decrease in relative yield to the decrease in relative water consumption varied from 0.82 to 1.43, and the water-saving rate ranged from 10.9 to 31.1%. The relationships between fresh ear yield and the irrigation treatments were statistically significant (P < 0.01), and the yield decreased with increasing deficit irrigation. Root dry matter increased with water shortage. Maximum values of leaf area index were obtained at full irrigation, whereas the lowest values were found at 30% water deficiency. The values of the deficit irrigation stress index increased with decreasing water application. Although the protein content increased, the Fe, Zn and Cu concentration of the kernels decreased with increasing water deficiency. Despite the reduction of fresh ear yield with deficit irrigation, the number of marketable ears at 10% water deficiency was still high and acceptable for sweet corn (var. Reward) in south-eastern Turkey.     

基质配方和灌溉方式对生菜根系和产量的影响

为筛选高产的生菜栽培基质配方及配套灌溉方式,根据滴灌和微喷灌水分在基质中的分布特点,研究了4种有机基质和2种灌溉方式下生菜产量和根长密度分布状况,分析了在滴灌和微喷灌条件下生菜根长密度剖面相对分布的异同,提出了生菜根长密度垂向分布模型及生菜产量和根长密度的关系模型。结果表明:滴灌处理在12 cm以下基质层含水率明显高于上层基质,微喷灌处理基质水分主要集中在15 cm以上基质层且水分分布较均匀。复配基质栽培生菜的根长密度比纯醋糟基质高27%,且在剖面的垂直分布随深度增加而递减;微喷灌下生菜根系集中于表层(0~6 cm),占71%以上,较滴灌有上移现象。复配基质栽培生菜产量比纯醋糟基质高10%。灌溉方式对生菜产量影响具有季节性,春季滴灌的生菜产量比微喷灌高22%以上,夏季滴灌的生菜产量比微喷灌低11%。选用复配基质进行栽培,春、夏季分别采用滴灌和微喷灌的方式最有利于生菜高产和根系的生长。     

Cotton root and shoot responses to subsurface drip irrigation and partial wetting of the upper soil profile

The ability of cotton roots to grow downwards through a partially-wetted soil (Calcic Haploxeralf) profile toward a water source located beneath them was investigated. Plants were grown in 60-cm-high soil columms (diameter 10 cm), the bottom 15 cm of which was kept wet by frequent drip irrigation, while the upper 45 cm was wetted three times per week up to 20, 40, 60, 80 or 100% of pot capacity. Pot capacity was defined as the water content which gave uniform distribution within the pot and was at a soil matric potential ( _m ) of –0.01 MPa. Plants were harvested 42 and 70 days after emergence (DAE). Root length density was reduced by decreased soil moisture content. At 42 DAE, density was reduced in the soil profile down to 36 cm. The density in the middle segment of the cylinder (24–36 cm) increased at the second harvest, from 0.1 to 0.35 cm · cm^–3 at 40% and from 0.2 to 0.5 cm · cm^–1 at 60% of pot capacity, respectively. A significant rise in root length density was found at all moisture contents above 20% in the two deepest soil segments. It was most marked at 40% where the rise was from 0.2 to 0.8 cm · cm^–3, due to the development of secondary roots at the wetted bottom of the column. When only 20% of pot capacity was maintained in the top 45 cm of the profile, almost no roots reached the wetted soil volume, and root length density was very low. Hydrotropism, namely root growth through dry soil layers toward a wet soil layer was thus not apparent. Root dry weight per unit length decreased with increasing depth in the column at all moisture levels. However, the only significant decrease was, found between the top and the second soil segments and was due to thicker primary roots in the top segment. There was no clear relationship between length and dry weight of roots. Total plant dry weight and transpiration were reduced significantly only at 20% of pot capacity. Dry matter production by roots was less severely inhibited than that by shoots, under decreased moisture content in the soil profile. Leaf water potential decreased when the soil moisture content of the top 45 cm of the profile was reduced below 60% of pot capacity. It was concluded that even at soil moisture content equivalent to a _m of 0.1 MPa, the rate of root growth was sufficient to reach a wetted soil layer at the bottom of the soil column, where the plant roots then proliferated. This implies that as long as the soil above the subsurface dripper is not very dry there is no real need for early surface irrigation.     

葡萄分层地下滴灌滴头布设深度优化

为解决不同树龄葡萄根系的差异使得地下滴灌系统在布设应用中存在的困难,采用室内试验和HYDRUS-2D数值模拟相结合的方法,以宁夏和关中葡萄产区为例,研究了2种土质条件下分层地下滴灌土壤水分运动规律,提出了分层地下滴灌带最佳布设深度.研究结果表明,HYDRUS-2D模拟值与试验实测值具有良好的吻合度.地下滴灌带的埋深直接影响土壤水分的分布,2种土质下湿润体内部处于最佳含水率区间的土壤体积随滴头间距的增加而增大.通过适当增大浅层滴头埋深并减小深层滴头埋深可减小表层水分无效损耗.从避免水分无效消耗以及提高湿润体与根系匹配效果等角度出发,建议关中地区葡萄单滴头灌溉且适宜滴灌带布设深度为20 cm;宁夏贺兰山地区滴灌带布设深度以15 cm和45 cm为宜.     

Soil moisture distribution patterns under surface and subsurface drip irrigation systems in sandy soil using neutron scattering technique

This study was carried out at the experimental field station of the Atomic Energy Authority in Anshas, Egypt, by the aim of assessing the soil moisture status under surface and subsurface drip irrigation systems, as a function of the variation in the distance between drippers along and between laterals. Moisture measurements were carried out using neutron moisture meter technique, and water distribution uniformity was assessed by applying Surfer Model. The presented data indicated that the soil moisture distribution and its uniformity within the soil profile under surface drip was to great extent affected by the distance between drippers rather than that between laterals. Generally, the soil moisture distribution under using 30-cm dripper spacing was better than of that under 50 cm. Under subsurface drip irrigation, the allocation of the irrigation system was the factor that dominantly affected the moisture trend under the studied variables. Installing the system at 30 cm from the soil surface is the one to be recommended as it represents the active root zone for most vegetable crops, beside it leads to a better water saving in sandy soils than that allocated at 15 cm depth.     

膜下滴灌对小麦根系分布特征的影响

为了研究膜下滴灌小麦在河套灌区的适用性及根系分布特征,在河套地区开展了常规畦灌小麦与膜下滴灌小麦的对比试验.试验结果表明,膜下滴灌小麦在整个生育期内的保墒作用明显,且其根长密度、根表面积密度、根体积密度在主要的浸润层0~30 cm均优于CK;种植模式不同时,1膜5行的种植模式的根系指标数值在各个土层内平均大于1膜6行5.9%;灌水水平不同时,充分灌溉促进了0~30 cm土层中的根系生长,而轻度水分亏缺有利于深层土壤中根系的生长.膜下滴灌小麦各处理的产量、作物水分生产率与灌溉水分生产率显著高于CK,产量较CK分别提高了19.6%,14.6%,19.5%,14.7%,作物水分生产率较CK分别提高了28.2%,27.3%,29.6%,27.3%,灌溉水分生产率分别提高了37.1%,40.7%,42%,41.8%.1膜5行的充分灌溉处理不仅促进了根系的生长,同时为产量、作物水分生产率、灌溉水分生产率最优,是兼顾高产与提高作物水分生产率的优良种植模式.     

Managing subsurface drip irrigation in the presence of shallow ground water

A 3-year project compared the operation of a subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and a furrow irrigation system in the presence of shallow saline ground water. We evaluated five types of drip irrigation tubing installed at a depth of 0.4 m with lateral spacings of 1.6 and 2 m on 2.4 ha plots of both cotton and tomato. Approximately 40% of the cotton water requirement and 10% of the tomato water requirement were obtained from shallow (<2 m) saline (5 dS/m) ground water. Yields of the drip-irrigated cotton improved during the 3-year study, while that of the furrow-irrigated cotton remained constant. Tomato yields were greater under drip than under furrow in both the years in which tomatoes were grown. Salt accumulation in the soil profile was managed through rainfall and pre-plant irrigation. Both drip tape and hard hose drip tubing are suitable for use in our subsurface drip system. Maximum shallow ground water use for cotton was obtained when the crop was irrigated only after a leaf water potential (LWP) of −1.4 MPa was reached. Drip irrigation was controlled automatically with a maximum application frequency of twice daily. Furrow irrigation was controlled by the calendar.     

Water stress imposed on muskmelon (Cucumis Melo L.) with subsurface and surface drip irrigation systems under semi-arid climatic conditions

In 2005 and 2006, a study was conducted to determine the effect of subsurface and surface drip irrigation systems and to determine optimum irrigation water using six different irrigation levels imposed on muskmelon (Cucumis Melo L. cv. Ananas F1) under semi-arid climatic conditions. Irrigation treatments received 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125% of class A pan evaporation rates. In 2005, average yield from subsurface and surface drip irrigation systems ranged from 16.2 (I ₀) to 31.1 (I ₇₅) t ha⁻¹ and from 16.2 (I ₀) to 43.8 (I ₇₅) t ha⁻¹, respectively. While in 2006, fruit yields for the same systems ranged from 8.2 (I ₀) to 40.4 (I ₇₅) t ha⁻¹ and from 8.2 (I ₀) to 38.9 (I ₁₀₀) t ha⁻¹. Regression analysis of the yield data indicated no significant (P > 0.05) difference between years and irrigation systems. The highest muskmelon yields from subsurface and surface drip irrigation systems were obtained at 83 and 92% of class A pan. Bigger fruits were obtained with optimum irrigation amounts for both of the irrigation systems. However, there was no clear indication of irrigation water amounts on total soluble solid and flesh thickness of muskmelon fruits.     

Subsurface drip irrigation for corn production: a review of 10 years of research in Kansas

Kansas State University initiated studies in 1989 to develop the methodology for successful application of subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) for corn production on the deep silt loam soils of the Central Great Plains, USA. Irrigation water use for corn can be reduced by 35–55% when using SDI compared with more traditional forms of irrigation in the region. Irrigation frequency has not been a critical issue when SDI is used for corn production on the deep silt loam soils of the region. A dripline spacing of 1.5 m has been found to be most economical for corn grown in 0.76 m spaced rows. Nitrogen fertigation was a very effective management tool with SDI, helping to maximize corn grain yield, while obtaining high efficiencies of nitrogen and water use. The research SDI systems have been utilized since 1989 without replacement or major degradation. SDI systems lasting 10–20 years are cost competitive for corn production with the more traditional forms of irrigation in the Great Plains for certain field sizes.Communicated by P. Thorburn     

间接地下滴灌下灌水量对枣树生理特征及果实品质的影响

通过小区试验,以地表滴灌为对照,探究红枣间接地下滴灌模式下水分的分布特征及不同灌水量对枣树生理生态指标、产量、品质的影响。间接地下滴灌下,最大的含水率出现在15~30cm土层处;而地表滴灌下,最大的含水率出现0~10cm土层处。枣树各生理生态指标,随灌水次数的增加,各处理性状差异逐渐增大,间接滴灌下中供水和高等供水枣树长势较好,低供水处理下红枣的糖分含量高,中供水处理下红枣的有机酸和VC含量高;地表滴灌处理枣树的平均单株产量高,但水分利用率最低,中供水处理不明显降低红枣单果质量和平均单株产量的前提下可以提高水分利用率;综合考虑枣树长势、产量、果实品质及水分利用率,中供水是间接地下滴灌下最佳的灌水量。