Articles
Adaptive responses of tomato plants to varying irrigation levels: insights into root development
Article number
1445_35
Pages
249 – 256
Language
English
Abstract
Effective management of crop yields and optimization of water use present a global challenge, given the rapid decline in fresh water supply coupled with persistent high demand.
Thus, comprehending how plants respond to fluctuating water levels is essential for achieving efficient water utilization.
This research investigates the adaptive responses of tomato plants to different irrigation levels, focusing on root development and photosynthetic efficiency.
Conducted over two consecutive years, 2020 and 2021, the study examines how these plants adjust to three watering conditions: full irrigation (100% of crop evapotranspiration), reduced irrigation (50%), and no irrigation.
Using the CI-600 in-situ root imager, root structures were non-destructively examined weekly for multiple weeks in 2020 and 2021, at different depths.
Under water stress conditions, plants exhibited a tendency to develop deeper and more extensive root systems, aligning with previous research, as a strategy to optimize water uptake.
The variations in root depth and architecture were influenced by both soil depth and the severity of water stress.
Notably, year-to-year discrepancies were identified, likely attributable to changes in irrigation levels and environmental factors such as temperature.
These findings significantly contribute to our understanding of root zone optimization and the development of drought-resilient cultivars, thereby promoting more sustainable agricultural practices.
Thus, comprehending how plants respond to fluctuating water levels is essential for achieving efficient water utilization.
This research investigates the adaptive responses of tomato plants to different irrigation levels, focusing on root development and photosynthetic efficiency.
Conducted over two consecutive years, 2020 and 2021, the study examines how these plants adjust to three watering conditions: full irrigation (100% of crop evapotranspiration), reduced irrigation (50%), and no irrigation.
Using the CI-600 in-situ root imager, root structures were non-destructively examined weekly for multiple weeks in 2020 and 2021, at different depths.
Under water stress conditions, plants exhibited a tendency to develop deeper and more extensive root systems, aligning with previous research, as a strategy to optimize water uptake.
The variations in root depth and architecture were influenced by both soil depth and the severity of water stress.
Notably, year-to-year discrepancies were identified, likely attributable to changes in irrigation levels and environmental factors such as temperature.
These findings significantly contribute to our understanding of root zone optimization and the development of drought-resilient cultivars, thereby promoting more sustainable agricultural practices.
Authors
O. Mhamdi, M. Égei, Z. Pék, R. Ilahy, E. Nemeskéri, L. Helyes, S. Takács
Keywords
image analysis, non-destructive, root scan, root monitoring, water stress
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