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.     

Salinity and drought

Summary Water deficit (water stress — WS) and excess salt (salt stress — SS) evoke similar plant responses, yet clear differences have been observed. The effect of the two forms of stress applied consecutively to cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and pepper (Capsicum annuum) was studied in a growth chamber (29/20°C day/night temperature, 50% RH, 12-h photoperiod) in 2.5-liter containers packed with a silt loam soil.Leaf water potential () under increasing WS [soil water potential decrease from –0.16 to –1.10 MPa] of transpiring cotton and pepper plants declined to lower levels than under equivalent SS. The decline of leaf solute potential ₀ on the other hand, was less under WS than under SS, resulting in reduced turgor potential ( _p ), in contrast with turgor maintenance under SS. Predawn turgor potential of WS plants was maintained at all levels of soil water potential. Transpiration, CO₂ assimilation and light period leaf extension rate were higher under low soil water potential produced by salinity than an equivalent value produced by water deficit.The more severe effect of WS was attributed to incomplete osmotic adjustment — the reduction in solute potential did not keep pace with the reduction in leaf water potential, and to increased root interface resistance in the dry soil.The leaf sap of cotton under WS had a higher proportion of sugars (65%) than electrolytes, compared to SS. When WS was converted to SS and plant solute potential decreased, electrolytes were taken up at the expense of a reduction in the sugar concentration. Water stress and salt stress may have an additive effect in depressing growth. But at equivalent levels, the relative magnitude of the effect of low soil matric potential (WS) on plant growth was twice as great as that of low soil solute potential (SS).     

An artificial capillary barrier to improve root zone conditions for horticultural crops: physical effects on water content

Capillary barriers (CBs) occur at the interface of two soil layers having distinct differences in textural and hydraulic characteristics. The objective of this study was to introduce an artificial CB, created by a layer of gravel below the root zone substrate, in order to optimize conditions for the cultivation of horticultural crops. Potential root zone formats were analyzed with and without the gravel CBs for variables including the following: depth of CB; barrier separating the root zone from the surrounding soil; and root zone soil texture. Field and simulated results revealed that artificial CBs increased root zone water content and changed water flow dynamics. Volumetric soil water content was increased by 20–70%, depending on the soil texture and depth of the barrier. Sandy soil texture and shallower placement resulted in relatively higher water content. For sandy soil without plants, a shallow (0.2 m depth) CB increased water content of the overlaying soil by 50% compared to the control. The introduction of a gravel CB below the root zone of pepper plants (Capsicum Annum L.) lead to 34% higher matric head, 50% lower diurnal fluctuations in matric head and 40% increase in pepper fruit yield. Increasing water content by way of artificial CBs appeared to improve the water use efficiency of pepper plants. Such an improvement could lead to reduced water and fertilizer application rates and subsequent reduction in contamination below the root zone. This is especially relevant for substrates of low water-holding capacity typically used in horticulture crop production.     

Effects of irrigation regimes on the yield and water use of strawberry

Summary Strawberry plants (Fragaria x annanasa D. cv Chandler) were grown in field plots and in drainage lysimeters under controlled soil moisture regimes. Four irrigation treatments were established by watering the plants when soil water potential reached -0.01, -0.03,-0.05 and -0.07 MPa. The maximum yield was attained at -0.01 MPa soil water potential. Differences in yield were caused by both changes in the number of fruits per plant and in the fresh weight per fruit. Yield reductions were associated with reductions in total assimilation rate resulting from the decreased assimilatory surface area in plants irrigated at lower soil water potentials. The crop water production function calculated on a fruit fresh weight basis resulted in a yield response factor (K _y) of 1.01.     

Effect of soil water osmotic potential on growth and water relationships in barley during soil water depletion

Summary Barley plants (Hordeum distichum, L., cv. Zita) grown in a sandy soil in pots were adjusted during a pretreatment period of 5 days to three levels of soil water osmotic potential by percolating 61 of a nutrient solution with additional 0, 22.3 and 44.6 mM KCl. A drying cycle was then started and the plants were harvested when the soil water matric potential had decreased to –1.4 MPa, respectively 6, 7 and 8 days later.No significant differences in dry matter yields, transpiration coefficients and wilting percentages were found between treatments.During the drying cycle leaf water potential ( _l ) decreased concomitantly with decrease in soil water potential ( _s ) with almost constant and similar differences ( _l – _s ) for all treatments despite differences in levels of potentials. The concomitant decrease in leaf osmotic potential () was due partly to dehydration (58%) and partly to increase in leaf solute content (42%) independent of treatment. The part of total osmotic solutes due to K decreased relatively during the drying cycle.Close relationships were found between and _l as functions of relative water content (RWC). Identical curves for the two levels of salt treatment agree with similar concentrations of K, Cl, and ash found for salt treated plants indicating that maximum uptake of macro nutrients may have been reached.During the main part of the drying cycle the turgor potential as function of RWC was higher and decreased less steeply with decreasing RWC in the salt treated than in the non-salt treated plants.In the beginning of the drying cycle additions of KCI lowered the transpiration rates of the salt treated plants resulting in a slower desiccation of the soil and hence an increased growth period. A delay in uptake from a limited soil water supply may be advantageous during intermittent periods of drought.     

The growth and nitrogen economy of rice under sprinkler and flood irrigation in South East Australia

Summary Dry-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L., cv. Calrose) was subjected to 4 irrigation treatments — continuous flood (CF) and sprinkler irrigation at frequencies of one (S1 W), two (S2W) and three (S3W) applications per week — commencing 37 d after 50% emergence (DAE). The amount of water applied was calculated to replace water lost by pan evaporation. Urea (120 kg N ha^–1) was applied in a 1:1 split 36 and 84 DAE, and there were also unfertilized controls for each irrigation treatment. Amounts of nitrate (NO ₃ ^– ) in the soil were very low throughout the growing season in all treatments, despite regular periods of draining which lasted for up to 7 d in SlW. In all irrigation treatments, the majority of the fertilizer nitrogen (N) was located in the top 20 mm of soil. After each application of fertilizer, levels of mineral N in CF declined rapidly, while levels in S3W and S1W remained high for 1–2 weeks longer. The poor growth of sprinkler-irrigated rice was not due to lower amounts of mineral N in the soil. The greater persistence of fertilizer N in the sprinkler-irrigated treatments was probably due to reduced root activity near the soil surface because of frequent periods of soil drying in between irrigations. Net mineralization of soil N in the unfertilized sprinkler-irrigated treatments was reduced by about half compared with CF.On average, the quantity of water applied (1.2–1.4 × EP) to the sprinkler-irrigated treatments appeared to be sufficient to meet the evapotranspiration demands of the crop, except possibly around flowering time. However, the plants may have suffered from moisture stress in between irrigations. Soil matric potential data at 100 mm suggested little water stress in the sprinkler-irrigated treatments during the vegetative stage, consistent with the similar tiller and panicle densities in all irrigation treatments. However, the crop was stunted and yellow and leaf rolling was observed in the sprinkler-irrigated treatments during this period. Soil matric potential data at 100 mm indicated considerable water stress in S1W beyond the commencement of anthesis, and in S2W during grain filling, consistent with the reduced floret fertility and grain weight in those treatments.     

Potato evapotranspiration and yield under different drip irrigation regimes

A field experiment comparing different irrigation frequencies and soil matric potential thresholds on potato evapotranspiration (ET), yield (Y) and water-use efficiency (WUE) was carried out in a loam soil. The experiment included five treatments for soil matric potential: F1 (-15 kPa), F2 (-25 kPa), F3 (-35 kPa), F4 (-45 kPa) and F5 (-55 kPa) and six treatments for irrigation frequency: 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). Results indicate that both soil matric potential and drip irrigation frequency influenced potato ET, Y and WUE. Potato ET increased as irrigation frequency and soil matric potential increased. Comparing soil water potential, the highest ET was 63.4 mm (32.1%) more than the lowest value. Based on irrigation frequency treatments, the highest ET was 36.7 mm (19.2%) more than the lowest value. Potato Y and WUE were also found to increase as irrigation frequency increased. Potato Y increased with an increase in soil water potential then started to decrease. The highest Y and WUE values were achieved with a soil matric potential threshold of -25 kPa and an irrigation frequency of once a day.Communicated by J. Ayars     

沙地喷灌土壤基质势调控对土壤水分分布和马铃薯产量的影响

[目的]制定砂质土壤马铃薯的喷灌灌溉制度。[方法]选择“夏波蒂”(抗旱性弱)和“费乌瑞它”(抗旱性强)2种不同抗旱能力的马铃薯品种,通过2a的田间试验,研究了不同土壤基质势阈值对土壤水分状况、马铃薯产量与灌溉水利用效率等的影响,以确定马铃薯适宜的土壤基质势阈值来指导灌溉。2012年布置了3个处理,在马铃薯定苗后分别控制垄中心20cm深度处土壤基质势阈值为-20、-30和-40kPa,2013年增加了1个-10kPa处理。[结果]大型喷灌机灌溉条件下监控垄中心20cm深度处土壤基质势可较好地调控马铃薯农田的土壤水分状况;①指导灌溉的土壤基质势阈值越高,马铃薯生育期内0~30cm深度平均土壤基质势越高,并且变化幅度越平缓;土壤基质势阈值越低,0~30cm深度平均土壤基质势越低,且变化越剧烈;40cm深度以下土壤水分状况与土壤基质势阈值的关系不明显。②不同抗旱能力马铃薯品种的产量都随着土壤基质势阈值的降低而线性降低,当阈值低于-15.8 kPa时,土壤基质势每降低1kPa,产量降低1.8%,且主要表现在大薯(W≥250g)和中薯(150g≤ W<250g)质量的降低,单株结薯个数基本不受影响。③灌溉水利用效率随着土壤基质势的降低而线性增加,表现为土壤基质势每降低1 kPa,灌溉水利用效率升高1.3%。[结论]砂质土壤大型喷灌机灌溉或类似农业生产条件下,推荐监控垄中心20cm深度处土壤基质势来指导施肥灌溉,并且土壤基质势阈值建议为-15.8 kPa左右,在淀粉积累期之后可考虑适当地降低土壤基质势阈值,以获得高产和较高的灌溉水利用效率。     

Water stress and gibberellic acid effects on growth of fenugreek plants

Fenugreek plant is susceptible to water stress during the vegetative growth stages, since a soil matric potential lower than –0.3 MPa causes substantial reduction in growth parameters such as height, weight and total leaf area. Gibberellic acid (GA₃) application to the seeds before sowing caused slight changes in growth parameters as well as some physiological and biochemical aspects under water deficit conditions.Water stress decreased the area of leaves by reducing the number and volume of cells. Leaf growth was improved by GA₃ treatment by promoting the growth processes slightly. Photosynthetic pigments (Chlorophyll a and b, and carotenoids) in the leaves diminished and the concentrations of the main cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) were disturbed by a decreasing soil matric potential. Monosaccharides accumulated markedly under water stress, and GA₃ may have further stimulated such accumulation. A substantial reduction in total soluble nitrogen was accompanied by a marked increase in protein-N. The possible physiological and biochemical roles of such alterations in the chemical constituents are discussed. Received: 20 March 1998     

Determination of transpiration in irrigated grapevines: comparison of the heat-pulse technique with gravimetric and micrometeorological methods

The use of a heat-pulse technique to monitor sap flow from which transpiration can be deduced was evaluated in ungrafted grapevines (Vitis vinifera L., cv. Sultana) under glasshouse and field conditions. There was a significant degree of agreement between daily transpiration deduced from heat-pulse velocity (T _hp) and that determined directly by gravimetry in the glasshouse and by calibration using the Penman-Monteith equation in the field. Comparison throughout the growing season of T _hp to transpiration calculated with the full Penman-Monteith equation produced a high coefficient of determination (r ²=0.69). A similar comparison of T _hp with transpiration calculated with only the aerodynamic component of the Penman-Monteith equation produced a non-linear relationship, due to the equation over-estimating transpiration relative to T _hp at high vapour pressure deficits (i.e. above 2.5 kPa). Values for total seasonal transpiration measured with heat-pulse sensors or calculated with either the full Penman-Monteith equation or with only the modified aerodynamic component of the equation were within 10% of each other. Transpiration (T _hp) in grapevines with an adequate supply of soil water was shown to be coupled to ambient air conditions. Received: 20 July 1998     

Maximum daily trunk shrinkage and stem water potential reference equations for irrigation scheduling of lemon trees

Measurements of midday stem water potential (ψ_stem) and maximum daily trunk shrinkage (MDS) were done over a 3-year period in adult Fino lemon trees (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. fil.) grafted on sour orange (C. aurantium L.) rootstocks. Plants were irrigated daily above their water requirements in order to obtain non-limiting soil water conditions. The results indicated that reference equations can be obtained for MDS and ψ_stem by pooling data across several seasons using crop reference evapotranspiration (ETo), daily mean vapor pressure deficit (VPD_m) and mean daily air temperature (T _m) in the case of MDS, and ETo in the case of ψ_stem. The best predictor of MDS under non-limiting soil water conditions was T _m, suggesting that MDS reference values can be obtained by means of easy and cheap measurements. MDS and ψ_stem values were not influenced significantly by yield or crop load variations between years. A negative linear relationship between MDS and ψ_stem was found, pointing to an unchanging radial hydraulic conductivity in the bark tissues and suggesting that the MDS is controlled by water potential.     

Water-use patterns of tall fescue and hybrid bluegrass cultivars subjected to ET-based irrigation scheduling

In turf industry, the ability of a cultivar to use less water is an important consideration, especially where rainfall and irrigation water are insufficient. Knowledge of turf grass water-use patterns is therefore important for developing efficient water management practices and also for selection of drought-resistant cultivars. We evaluated the soil water‐use patterns of tall fescue and hybrid bluegrasses cultivars irrigated at different rates. Field experiments were conducted at the Turfgrass Research Facility, Auburn University, AL, in 2005 and 2006. Two tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) cultivars (‘Kentucky 31’ and ‘Green Keeper’) and four hybrid bluegrass (Poa pratensis L. × Poa arachnifera Torr.) cultivars, viz., HB 129 [‘Thermal Blue’], HB 130 (Experimental line), HB 328 (Experimental line) and HB 329 [‘Dura Blue’] were included in this study. Plots were irrigated based on the potential evapotranspiration, viz., 100% ET, 80% ET and 60% ET replacements. Tensiometers were installed at 0.075, 0.15 and 0.30 m depths, and their readings used to calculate the matric head, water content and water-use values. Turf color quality was determined from turf canopy digital images. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for a random complete block design (RCBD) was conducted for available water, water-use and turf color quality values. Hybrid bluegrasses revealed significantly (P = 0.05) higher turf color indices compared to the tall fescue cultivars, but there was no indication of differential responses to irrigation among cultivars. Based on water-use data, hybrid bluegrass cultivars revealed significantly (P = 0.05) lower water-use compared to tall fescue cultivars.     

Role of transpiration suppression by evaporation of intercepted water in improving irrigation efficiency

Sprinkler irrigation efficiency declines when applied water intercepted by the crop foliage, or gross interception (I_gross), as well as airborne droplets and ponded water at the soil surface evaporate before use by the crop. However, evaporation of applied water can also supply some of the atmospheric demands usually met by plant transpiration. Any suppression of crop transpiration from the irrigated area as compared to a non-irrigated area can be subtracted from I_gross irrigation application losses for a reduced, or net, interception (I_net) loss. This study was conducted to determine the extent in which transpiration suppression due to microclimatic modification resulting from evaporation of plant-intercepted water and/or of applied water can reduce total sprinkler irrigation application losses of impact sprinkler and low energy precision application (LEPA) irrigation systems. Fully irrigated corn (Zea Mays L.) was grown on 0.75 m wide east-west rows in 1990 at Bushland, TX in two contiguous 5-ha fields, each containing a weighing lysimeter and micrometeorological instrumentation. Transpiration (Tr) was measured using heat balance sap flow gauges. During and following an impact sprinkler irrigation, within-canopy vapor pressure deficit and canopy temperature declined sharply due to canopyintercepted water and microclimatic modification from evaporation. For an average day time impact irrigation application of 21 mm, estimated average I_gross loss was 10.7%, but the resulting suppression of measured Tr by 50% or more during the irrigation reduced I_gross loss by 3.9%. On days of high solar radiation, continued transpiration suppression following the irrigation reduced I_gross loss an additional 1.2%. Further 4–6% reductions in I_gross losses were predicted when aerodynamic and canopy resistances were considered. Irrigation water applied only at the soil surface by LEPA irrigation had little effect on the microclimate within the canopy and consequently on Tr or ET, or irrigation application efficiency.     

Response of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) to mulching practices under planted greenhouse condition

Mulch is considered a desirable management technology for conserving soil moisture, improving soil temperature and soil quality. This study aimed to investigate soil conditions and hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) performance in terms of leaf photosynthetic capacity, fruit yield and quality, and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) under such practices in greenhouse condition. A field experiment across 3 years was carried out with four types of mulch (without mulch [CK], wheat straw mulch [SM], plastic film mulch [FM], and combined mulch with plastic film and wheat straw [CM]). Mulch could improve soil physical properties regardless of mulch materials. FM and CM treatments improved soil moistures status and soil temperature in comparison to CK control, while SM increased soil water content and decreased soil temperature. Mulch increased leaf net photosynthesis rate (P_N), stomatal conductance to water vapor (gs), intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci), and transpiration rate (E), but declined instant water use efficiency (WUEi). No significant effect of mulch application on chlorophyll fluorescence was existent for the entire growth season. Fruit yield and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) showed some increment under all the mulch conditions. Compared to CK, the yield was enhanced by 82.3%, 65.0%, and 111.5% in 2008; 38.1%, 17.4%, and 46.5% in 2009; and 14.3%, 6.5%, and 19.6% in 2010 under SM, FM, and CM conditions, respectively. Although FM produced better fruit quality than other treatments, CM is the recommended practice for hot pepper cultivation in greenhouse condition due to working well to facilitate soil condition (moisture and temperature), plant growth, and marketable yield.     

Effect of root and water distribution in lysimeters and in the field on the onset of crop water stress

Summary Lysimeters have been frequently used to study crop response to the onset of water stress. To test the representativeness of lysimeter derived criteria for the onset of crop water stress, spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was grown in two field plots with 1.0 m deep lysimeters in the center of each plot. One plot was well-watered while the second was subjected to a drying period with no irrigation. Crop water stress was assessed by monitoring leaf water potential ( _l ), stomatal diffusive resistance (r _s ), canopy temperature (CT), evapotranspiration (ET), and soil water content in both plots and lysimeters. The rate of change of all these measured parameters, when compared to the well-watered field control-plot revealed that the field-grown plants showed signs of water stress long before the lysimeter-grown plants. Water stress developed gradually for the field crop, but the transition from the well-watered to the stressed condition happened abruptly for the lysimeter-grown plants. Once this transition occurred, the lysimeter-grown plants were more drought stressed than the field-grown plant. Water profiles measured inside the lysimeter were different from those measured in the adjacent plots. An increase in root length density with depths below 0.6 m was observed in the lysimeters as opposed to a quasimonotonic decrease with depth in the field. The response of the lysimeter-grown plants was a result of the anomalous water content and root distribution. We conclude that threshold values of ET, _l , r _s , and CT for the onset of water stress obtained when deep-rooted crops grown in a shallow lysimeter are subjected to drought periods may not be directly applicable to field situations.     

Application of a new method to evaluate crop water stress index

Optimum water management and irrigation require timely detection of crop water condition. Usually crop water condition can be indicated by crop water stress index (CWSI), which can be estimated based on the measurements of either soil water or plant status. Estimation of CWSI by canopy temperature is one of them and has the potential to be widely applied because of its quick response and remotely measurable features. To calculate CWSI, the conventional canopy-temperature-based model (Jackson’s model) requires the measurement or estimation of the canopy temperature, the maximum canopy temperature (T _cu), and the minimum canopy temperature (T _cl). Because extensive measurements are necessary to estimate T _cu and T _cl, its application is limited. In this study, by introducing the temperature of an imitation leaf (a leaf without transpiration, T _p) and based on the principles of energy balance, we studied the possibility to replace T _cu by T _p and reduce the included parameters for CWSI calculation. Field experiments were carried out in a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) field in Luancheng area, Hebei Province, the main production area of winter wheat in China. Six irrigation treatments were established and soil water content, leaf water potential, soil evaporation rate, plant transpiration rate, biomass, yield, and regular meteorological variables of each treatment were measured. Results indicate that the values of T _cu agree with the values of T _p with a regression coefficient r=0.988. While the values of CWSI estimated by the use of T _p are in agreement with CWSI by Jackson’s method, with a regression coefficient r=0.999. Furthermore, CWSI estimated by the use of T _p has good relations with soil water content and leaf water potential, showing that the estimated CWSI by T _p is a good indicator of soil water and plant status. Therefore, it is concluded that T _cu can be replaced by T _p and the included parameters for CWSI calculation can be significantly reduced by this replacement.     

Drip irrigation of tea (Camellia sinensis L.): 1. Yield and crop water productivity responses to irrigation

The effects of drip irrigation on the yield and crop water productivity responses of four tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) clones were studied four consecutive years (2003/2004-2006/2007), in a large (9 ha) field experiment comprising of six drip irrigation treatments (labelled: I₁-I₆) and four clones (TRFCA PC81, AHP S15/10, BBK35 and BBT207) planted at a spacing of 1.20 m × 0.60 m at Kibena Tea Limited (KTL), Njombe in the Southern Tanzania in a situation of limited water availability. Each clone × drip irrigation treatment combination was replicated six times in a completely randomized design with 144 net plots each with an area of 72 m². Clone TRFCA PC81 gave the highest yields (range: 5920-6850 kg dried tea ha⁻¹) followed by clones BBT207 (5010-5940 kg dried tea ha⁻¹), AHP S15/10 (4230-5450 kg dried tea ha⁻¹) and BBK35 (3410-4390 kg dried tea ha⁻¹) and drip irrigation treatment I₂ gave the highest yields, ranging from 4954 to 6072 kg dried tea ha⁻¹) compared with those from other treatments (4113-5868 kg dried tea ha⁻¹). Most of these yields exceeded those (4200 kg dried tea ha⁻¹) obtained from overhead sprinkler irrigation system in Mufindi also Southern Tanzania, and Kibena Estate itself. Results showed that drip irrigation of tea not only increased yields but also gave water saving benefits of up to 50% from application of 50% less water to remove the cumulative soil water deficit (treatment I₂), and with labour saving of 85% for irrigation. The yield of dried tea per mm depth of water applied, i.e., “the crop water productivity” for drip irrigation of clones TRFCA PC81, BBT207 and BBK35, in 2003/2004 for instance, were 9.3, 8.5 and 7.1 kg dried tea [ha mm]⁻¹, respectively. The corresponding values in 2004/2005 were 2.7, 4.5 and 2.0 kg dried tea [ha mm]⁻¹ while the yield responses from clone AHP S15/10 were linear decreasing by 1 and 1.6 kg dried tea [ha mm]⁻¹ in 2003/2004 and 2004/2005, respectively. In 2005/2006 the crop water productivity from clones TRFCA PC81, AHP S15/10, BBK35 and BBT207 were 4.5, 0.4, 5.2 and 6.9 kg dried tea [ha mm]⁻¹, respectively with quadratic yield response functions to drip irrigation depth of water application. The results are presented and recommendations and implications made for technology-transfer scaling-up for increased use by large and smallholder tea growers.     

Effect of N-enriched co-compost on transpiration efficiency and water-use efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.) under controlled irrigation

Population growth, urban expansion and economic development are increasing competition for water use between agriculture and other users. In addition, the high rate of soil degradation and declining soil moisture in the Sub-Saharan African Region have called for several crop production management and irrigation options to improve soil fertility, reduce water use by crops and produce ‘more crops per drop of water’. Notwithstanding this, considerable variations exist in the literature on water-use efficiency, WUE_cwu (economic yield per water used) for maize (Zea mays L.) across climates and soil management practices. Different views have been expressed on the effect of different rates of nitrogen (N) application on transpiration efficiency, TE (biomass produced per unit of water transpired). The objectives of the study were to assess the effect of different rates of N-enriched municipal waste co-compost and its derivatives on TE, WUE_cwu and yield of maize (Z. mays L.) in comparison to inorganic fertiliser. The greenhouse pot experiment was conducted in Accra, Ghana on a sandy loam soil (Ferric Lixisol) using a split plot design. The main plot treatments were soil (S), dewatered faecal sludge (DFS), municipal solid waste compost (C), co-compost from municipal solid waste and dewatered faecal sludge (Co), compost enriched with (NH₄)₂SO₄ (EC), co-compost enriched with (NH₄)₂SO₄ (ECO), (NH₄)₂SO₄ and NPK15-15-15 + (NH₄)₂SO₄. The sub-plot treatments were different rates of application of nitrogen fertiliser applied at the rate of 91, 150 and 210 kg N ha⁻¹ respectively. Maize cv. Abelehii was grown in a poly bag filled with 15 kg soil. Eight plants per treatment were selected randomly and used for the collection of data on growth parameters forth-nightly. At physiological maturity two plants per treatment were also selected randomly from each treatment plot for yield data. The results showed that TE of maize (Z. mays) varied for the different treatments and these are 6.9 Pa in soil (S) alone to 8.6 Pa in ECO. Increase in N application rate increased TE at the vegetative phase for fast nutrient releasing fertilisers (DFS, ECO, EC, NPK + (NH₄)₂SO₄, (NH₄)₂SO₄) and at the reproductive phase for slow nutrient releasing fertilisers (C and CO). Water-use efficiency increased significantly as rate of N application increased. Treatment ECO improved crop WUE_cwu and was 11% and 4 times higher than that for NPK + (NH₄)₂SO₄ or soil alone; and 18-36% higher than those for DFS and CO. Treatment ECO used less amount of water to produce dry matter yield (DMY) and grain yield (GY) that was 5.2% and 12.6%, respectively, higher than NPK + (NH₄)₂SO₄. Similarly, the DMY and GY for ECO was 8.9-18.5% and 23.4-34.7%, respectively, higher than DFS and CO. High nutrient (N and K) uptake, TE, and low leaf senescence accounts for 83% of the variations in DMY whereas WUE_cwu accounts for 99% of the variations in GY. Thus, the study concluded that different sources of fertiliser increased TE and WUE_cwu of maize differently as N application rate increases.     

Establishing maximum daily trunk shrinkage and midday stem water potential reference equations for irrigation scheduling of early maturing peach trees

Measurements of midday stem water potential (Ψ_stem) and maximum daily trunk shrinkage (MDS) were taken over a 4-year period in early maturing peach trees (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch cv. Flordastar) grafted on GF-677 rootstock. Plants were irrigated daily above their water requirements in order to obtain non-limiting soil water conditions. The results indicated that seasonal reference equations can be obtained for MDS and Ψ_stem using crop reference evapotranspiration (ETo), daily mean vapour pressure deficit (VPD_m) and mean daily air temperature (T_m) in the case of MDS, and ETo and VPD_m in the case of Ψ_stem. In this way, VPD_m was seen to be the best predictor of MDS and Ψ_stem, without both were influenced significantly by yield or crop load variations between years. When the postharvest regression between MDS or Ψ_stem and the meteorological parameters mentioned were broken down into early and late postharvest periods, the correlation coefficients improved and were closely related to the presence or absence of sugar-demanding sinks, such as active root growth. A negative linear relationship between MDS and Ψ_stem was found, pointing to unchanging radial hydraulic conductivity in the bark tissues and suggesting that MDS depends to a great extent of the water potential.     

Water and salt regulation and its effects on Leymus chinensis growth under drip irrigation in saline-sodic soils of the Songnen Plain

Field experiments were carried out to investigate water and salt management and its effects on Leymus chinensis growth under drip irrigation on saline-sodic soils of the Songnen Plain, China. The ECe of the experiment soil here is 15.2 dS/m and SAR_e is 14.6 (mmol_c L⁻¹)^1/2. The threshold of soil matric potential (SMP) was preset in different treatments (−5, −10, −15, −20 and −25 kPa) to control the timing of the irrigation cycle using vacuum tensiometers buried at 0.2 m depth immediately under drip emitters. Drip irrigation frequency and soil matric potential significantly influenced water and salt distributions and L. chinensis growth. In the root zone, the soil water content increased with the SMP, but at deeper layers there were no significant differences in soil water content due to the effect of groundwater. Electrical conductivity showed that there was a low-salt zone near the emitters and that drip irrigation inhibited the buildup of salts in the root zone. There was more leaching of salts for −5 and −10 kPa treatments than for the −15, −20 and −25 kPa treatments. After two years of drip irrigation, the surface salts were well leached, and had moved down with the water to depths below 40 cm. The pH of each treatment was a little decreased and the soil nutrient of S1-S5 were all increased after reclamation, but there were no obvious differences of the five treatments. The best growth was achieved with soil matric potentials of −5 and −10 kPa: the plant height, number and length of spikes, number of tillers, coverage and aboveground biomass all attained their maximum values during the growth periods of L. chinensis, with no significant differences between those two treatments. Thus, in the Songnen Plain, drip irrigation can be used on transplanted L. chinensis for restoration of saline-sodic soils. The results provide theoretical and technological guidance for sustainable reclamation salt-affected soil and the quick restoration and reconstruction of saline-sodic grassland.