|   | 
Details
   web
Record
Author Beya-Marshall, V.; Arcos, E.; Seguel, O.; Galleguillos, M.; Kremer, C.
Title Optimal irrigation management for avocado (cv. 'Hass') trees by monitoring soil water content and plant water status Type
Year 2022 Publication Agricultural Water Management Abbreviated Journal Agric. Water Manag.
Volume 271 Issue Pages (down) 107794
Keywords Water productivity; Stem water potential; Baseline; Frequency domain reflectometry; Irrigation scheduling; Yield; Water scarcity
Abstract Irrigation scheduling based on soil water content (Ow) sensors requires that Ow be maintained within a range (management lines) that is optimal for plant growth. The lower limit or “breaking point ” is determined following the soil water content dynamics on the transition of a rapid rate of depletion to a slower, under similar reference evapotranspiration. Although this criterion is practical, its implementation should be validated with plant water status measurement that contemplate weather condition, such as stem water potential “non-stressed ” baseline (Tx as a function of vapor-pressure deficit (VPD) in Ow conditions that do not limit yield). A study was con-ducted on a mature cv. 'Hass' avocado orchard in Central Chile during two seasons. There were 5 irrigation treatments: T1, Control; T2 and T3 with 29% less and 25% more of what was applied in T1, respectively; T4 and T5 same as Control until first and second fruit drop abscission, respectively, and then with 29% less. T1 trees were irrigated using a continuous frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) probe to maintain the root zone be-tween field capacity and the breaking point. There was biweekly monitoring of the Ow prior to irrigation, Tx and VPD. The Tx decline proportional to the intensity and the timing of water restriction; however, no treatment affected the crop load in either season. T2 did not show significant detrimental in fruit size, production and maturation, despite that frequently reached water content levels at the limit of the breaking point, and showed lower levels of stem water potential than Control, being the treatment with the highest water productivity. The results confirm that breaking point is an effective criterion to establish irrigation management. Additionally, when comparing the baseline for our non-stressed trees with a baseline from full irrigation treatments obtained from the literature, 30% water savings were achieved.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0378-3774 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000831063900003 Approved
Call Number UAI @ alexi.delcanto @ Serial 1615
Permanent link to this record