Articles
Evapotranspiration and water potential in two super high density olive orchards in California
Article number
1446_34
Pages
251 – 256
Language
English
Abstract
The precision of irrigation management and research relies on our capability to correctly identify the upper limits of water use and water status of a crop under non-soil-water-limited conditions.
From a biometeorological perspective, this is often achieved by the adoption of proper crop coefficients (Kc), and from a physiological perspective, by the adoption of stem water potential (Ψstem) baselines.
However, the high variability of the Kc and Ψstem baselines available for olive impairs the applicability of these thresholds.
In this three year study, we measured orchard water use with the eddy covariance method and Ψstem with the pressure chamber in two super-high density olive orchards in California, and compared the results with published values.
Kc seasonal trends differed from those commonly reported.
Values of Kc increased from 0.4 to 0.5 in April and May, to 0.5 to 0.7 in July, and remained constant throughout the rest of the growing season. Ψstem ranged between -1 and -18 bars, and its difference with respect to various baselines varied throughout the season.
Notably, Kc was lower and Ψstem was higher in spring compared to mid-summer.
Implications for improving irrigation management are discussed.
From a biometeorological perspective, this is often achieved by the adoption of proper crop coefficients (Kc), and from a physiological perspective, by the adoption of stem water potential (Ψstem) baselines.
However, the high variability of the Kc and Ψstem baselines available for olive impairs the applicability of these thresholds.
In this three year study, we measured orchard water use with the eddy covariance method and Ψstem with the pressure chamber in two super-high density olive orchards in California, and compared the results with published values.
Kc seasonal trends differed from those commonly reported.
Values of Kc increased from 0.4 to 0.5 in April and May, to 0.5 to 0.7 in July, and remained constant throughout the rest of the growing season. Ψstem ranged between -1 and -18 bars, and its difference with respect to various baselines varied throughout the season.
Notably, Kc was lower and Ψstem was higher in spring compared to mid-summer.
Implications for improving irrigation management are discussed.
Publication
Authors
P. Guzmán-Delgado, E. Santos, K. Suvocarev, A. Daccache, K.M. Bali, C. Pierce, L. Milliron, G. Marino
Keywords
crop coefficient, Olea europaea, irrigation management, water potential baseline, water stress
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