Articles
Kiwifruit physiological limitation under high atmospheric evaporative demand
Article number
1444_24
Pages
181 – 186
Language
English
Abstract
Most fruit crop irrigation is performed on an empirical basis, with very little awareness of the consequences on yield and on water use efficiency.
A model to estimate leaf stomatal conductance from sap flux measurements has already been developed and applied in olive, a fruit crop that can easily regulate stomatal closure under stressful conditions.
Therefore, the current challenge is to obtain a similar model in an anisohydric crop such as kiwifruit.
The main objective of the KIWIQUALI project is to estimate the leaf stomatal conductance (gs) through models from sap flux density (Js) measurement in Actinidia chinensis. This will enable us to continuously assess the plant’s water status and improve irrigation management, thereby optimizing fruit quality.
This goal will be reached through the following specific objectives: i) to adjust the model for estimation of kiwifruit trees’ gs from Js continuous measurements and atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (D); ii) to understand which irrigation level optimizes fruit quality and productivity; iii) to develop precision irrigation protocols based on gs estimation.
Aiming at obtaining measurements in different water statuses, kiwifruit vines located at Imola, in the Emilia Romagna region (Italy), were submitted to the following four irrigation treatments: well-watered (100% of crop evapotranspiration ETC) and three deficit irrigation treatments (ca. 68, 57, and 40% of ETC). The present study aims to analyze leaf gas exchange and water use efficiency (WUE) at the leaf level under different irrigation treatments and at various ranges of D. This type of study can provide useful information for decision-making in irrigation scheduling.
Kiwifruit vines subjected to a 57% ETc irrigation treatment exhibited the highest WUE at D below 3 kPa, whereas they presented the lowest WUE values at D from 3 to 4 kPa.
On the other hand, vines under full irrigation (100% ETc) presented the highest WUE only at high D (from 3 to 4kPa). This information provides useful inputs regarding irrigation scheduling decision-making, as changes in D may improve water use efficiency at the leaf level of vines under moderate water deficit.
A model to estimate leaf stomatal conductance from sap flux measurements has already been developed and applied in olive, a fruit crop that can easily regulate stomatal closure under stressful conditions.
Therefore, the current challenge is to obtain a similar model in an anisohydric crop such as kiwifruit.
The main objective of the KIWIQUALI project is to estimate the leaf stomatal conductance (gs) through models from sap flux density (Js) measurement in Actinidia chinensis. This will enable us to continuously assess the plant’s water status and improve irrigation management, thereby optimizing fruit quality.
This goal will be reached through the following specific objectives: i) to adjust the model for estimation of kiwifruit trees’ gs from Js continuous measurements and atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (D); ii) to understand which irrigation level optimizes fruit quality and productivity; iii) to develop precision irrigation protocols based on gs estimation.
Aiming at obtaining measurements in different water statuses, kiwifruit vines located at Imola, in the Emilia Romagna region (Italy), were submitted to the following four irrigation treatments: well-watered (100% of crop evapotranspiration ETC) and three deficit irrigation treatments (ca. 68, 57, and 40% of ETC). The present study aims to analyze leaf gas exchange and water use efficiency (WUE) at the leaf level under different irrigation treatments and at various ranges of D. This type of study can provide useful information for decision-making in irrigation scheduling.
Kiwifruit vines subjected to a 57% ETc irrigation treatment exhibited the highest WUE at D below 3 kPa, whereas they presented the lowest WUE values at D from 3 to 4 kPa.
On the other hand, vines under full irrigation (100% ETc) presented the highest WUE only at high D (from 3 to 4kPa). This information provides useful inputs regarding irrigation scheduling decision-making, as changes in D may improve water use efficiency at the leaf level of vines under moderate water deficit.
Authors
R.D.M. Fernandes, M. Venturi, B. Morandi
Keywords
deficit irrigation, stomatal conductance, Actinidia chinensis, leaf stomatal conductance, sap flux density
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 (43)