Articles
A sustainable irrigation based on a soil water balance model for the production of Carpinus betulus L.
Article number
1417_12
Pages
101 – 108
Language
English
Abstract
Until recently, it was possible to produce high-quality avenue trees through rain-fed methods.
However, due to recent prolonged drought periods during the growing season, the growth and quality of the trees are impacted, leading to a lower economic value.
Therefore, the tree nursery sector requires irrigation thresholds and appropriate tools such as plant and soil sensors to schedule irrigation according to crop water needs.
In 2022 and 2023, a trial was performed on 3- and 4-year-old hornbeam avenue trees (Carpinus betulus L.), in which a rain-fed treatment was compared with a drip-irrigated treatment.
Irrigation doses were determined according to a calibrated soil water balance model, based on reference crop evapotranspiration (ET0), rainfall, and soil hydraulic properties.
In 2022, irrigation was mostly applied during the dry months of July and August.
Although the effect of irrigation on soil moisture was less straightforward, it had a positive effect on stem water potential.
In 2023, the trees were only irrigated during the dry month of June.
This had a positive effect on both the soil and the stem water potential.
During both years, irrigation had a positive effect on stem growth resulting in a higher economic value.
However, due to recent prolonged drought periods during the growing season, the growth and quality of the trees are impacted, leading to a lower economic value.
Therefore, the tree nursery sector requires irrigation thresholds and appropriate tools such as plant and soil sensors to schedule irrigation according to crop water needs.
In 2022 and 2023, a trial was performed on 3- and 4-year-old hornbeam avenue trees (Carpinus betulus L.), in which a rain-fed treatment was compared with a drip-irrigated treatment.
Irrigation doses were determined according to a calibrated soil water balance model, based on reference crop evapotranspiration (ET0), rainfall, and soil hydraulic properties.
In 2022, irrigation was mostly applied during the dry months of July and August.
Although the effect of irrigation on soil moisture was less straightforward, it had a positive effect on stem water potential.
In 2023, the trees were only irrigated during the dry month of June.
This had a positive effect on both the soil and the stem water potential.
During both years, irrigation had a positive effect on stem growth resulting in a higher economic value.
Authors
P. De Clercq, A. De Vroe, P. Janssens, K. Steppe, D. Van Haecke, B. Gobin, M.-C. Van Labeke, E. Dhooghe
Keywords
avenue trees, drip irrigation, irrigation scheduling
Groups involved
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Working Group Vaccinium Species and Management
- Working Group Rubus and Ribes Species and Management
- Working Group Kiwifruit Culture and Management
- Working Group Strawberry Culture and Management
Online Articles (35)