Articles
A stem water potential model to manage irrigation of apple trees
Article number
1425_5
Pages
33 – 38
Language
English
Abstract
There are several soil or atmospheric parameters related to plant water status that have been used as water stress indicators for irrigation scheduling.
Stem water potential is a direct physiological measurement of water status in fruit trees.
Micro-tensiometers (FloraPulse sensors) allow for continuous evaluation of stem water potential.
These sensors are embedded into the woody tissue of the tree trunk and can measure stem water potential every minute during the day.
We conducted two field experiments at Geneva, NY, USA in 2021 and 2022 with ‘Gala’ apple.
The objectives of our studies were to develop a Stem Water Potential Model to manage irrigation using the new micro-tensiometer sensors and to develop a relationship between hourly apple fruit growth rate (measured with dendrometers) and hourly stem water potential to determine the stem water potential value minimum when fruit growth rate is reduced.
Our results showed that radiation, temperature, and humidity were related to stem water potential values.
As expected, sunny days with high temperatures and high radiation had greater water stress.
Multiple regression models were built to predict hourly stem water potential with these weather variables.
A logistic model was used to relate fruit growth and stem water potential.
Our results suggested that the critical value of stem water potential was -6.5 Bar.
Using this threshold and the hourly stem water potential model, we envision scheduling irrigation when the predicted stem water potential is below this value.
Stem water potential is a direct physiological measurement of water status in fruit trees.
Micro-tensiometers (FloraPulse sensors) allow for continuous evaluation of stem water potential.
These sensors are embedded into the woody tissue of the tree trunk and can measure stem water potential every minute during the day.
We conducted two field experiments at Geneva, NY, USA in 2021 and 2022 with ‘Gala’ apple.
The objectives of our studies were to develop a Stem Water Potential Model to manage irrigation using the new micro-tensiometer sensors and to develop a relationship between hourly apple fruit growth rate (measured with dendrometers) and hourly stem water potential to determine the stem water potential value minimum when fruit growth rate is reduced.
Our results showed that radiation, temperature, and humidity were related to stem water potential values.
As expected, sunny days with high temperatures and high radiation had greater water stress.
Multiple regression models were built to predict hourly stem water potential with these weather variables.
A logistic model was used to relate fruit growth and stem water potential.
Our results suggested that the critical value of stem water potential was -6.5 Bar.
Using this threshold and the hourly stem water potential model, we envision scheduling irrigation when the predicted stem water potential is below this value.
Authors
L. González, A. Huber, R. Gao, E. Casagrande, L. Cheng, A.D. Stroock, A.N. Lakso, T.L. Robinson
Keywords
Malus × domestica, stem water potential, water management, FloraPulse sensors, stem water potential model, microtensiometers
Groups involved
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Working Group Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management
- Working Group Modelling Plant Growth, Environmental Control, Greenhouse Environment
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
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