Effect of partial soil wetting on transpiration, vegetative growth and root system of young orange trees

The wetted area fraction is a factor critical to the success of drip irrigation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of partial soil wetting on transpiration, vegetative growth and root system of young orange trees. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse where plants were grown in 0.5 m3boxes internally divided into compartments. The wetting of 12 % of soil area was tested on two types of soil cultivated with ‘Valencia’ orange trees grafted onto Rangpur lime and ‘Swingle’ citrumelo rootstocks. Transpiration was determined in 40 plants. Water extraction and root density were evaluated in the compartments. Transpiration is reduced by restriction in wetted soil area, and such reduction is influenced by the number of days after the beginning of partial irrigation, atmospheric evaporative demand and plant phenological stage. Mean transpiration of plants with partial irrigation was equivalent to 84 % of the mean transpiration of plants with 100 % of wetted soil area in the period studied. However, after 156 days of imposing partial irrigation there was no difference in transpiration between treatments. Plant acclimation was caused by an increase in root concentration in the irrigated area. After a period of acclimation, if the entire root system is wetted, soil water extraction becomes proportional to the percentage of wetted area after a short period of time. Despite the reduction in transpiration, there was no difference between treatments with 12 % and 100 % of wetted soil area in terms of vegetative growth

Método de dissipação térmica para determinação do fluxo de seiva em coqueiro anão-verde The heat dissipation method for sap flow determination in green-dwarf coconut plants

O conhecimento da demanda hídrica das culturas é uma informação básica para o manejo de irrigação. O método de dissipação térmica (MDT) vem recebendo atenção nos últimos tempos para esta finalidade, em virtude de utilizar princípios físicos relativamente simples e poder ser aplicado diretamente no campo. Este trabalho objetivou realizar a calibração do método de sonda de dissipação térmica na determinação do fluxo de seiva em coqueiro anão-verde. Para a calibração, a sonda foi inserida em um segmento de pecíolo da folha do coqueiro-anão verde. Um fluxo estável de água foi estabelecido no segmento do pecíolo. Foram feitas medidas de vazão, volume por unidade de tempo, e temperatura, dada pela sonda. Após a calibração em laboratório foram realizados experimentos de campo na Região Norte Fluminense, Brasil, nos quais o modelo calibrado foi capaz de acompanhar a demanda atmosférica. Conclui-se que modelo matemático obtido da calibração do MDT é satisfatório para a obtenção da transpiração no coqueiro anão-verde.<br>The knowledge of crop water demand is basic for irrigation management. In recent years, the Heat Dissipation Method (HDM) has received attention for this purpose because its relatively simple physical principles and applicability in field conditions. This study aimed to perform calibration of the HDM for sap flow determination in green-dwarf coconut plants. For calibration, the probe was inserted in a segment of the leaf petiole of a dwarf coconut tree. A steady stream of water was established in the segment of petiole. Measurements of flow rate, volume per unit time and temperature, were taken with the probe. After calibrating HDM in laboratory, field experiments were carried out in the Norte Fluminense, Brazil, where the calibrated model were well coupled to the atmospheric demand. It is concluded that the mathematical model obtained in the HDM calibration is suitable for obtaining the transpiration to green dwarf coconut