ISHS Acta Horticulturae 119: III International Symposium on Water supply and Irrigation in the open and under Protected Cultivation
EFFECT OF WATER QUANTITY ON PHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDERS AND QUALITY OF PLANTS |
| Author: | H.-J. Wiebe |
| Abstract:
Maximum plant growth through irrigation often is not convenient because of economical and ecological aspects, changes in quality and occurrence of physiological disorders. Increasing soil moisture leads to a decrease in dry matter percentage, flavour strength, content of monosaccharides, total acids, carotene and vitamin C as well as to less colour intensity. Internal tip burn of cabbage or lettuce is intensified by constant high soil moisture and high air humidity. A high day-night amplitude of the plant water potential reduces the risk of internal tip burn since more Ca-rich xylem sap flows into the youngh leaves inside the heads. The occurrence of Ca related disorders on fruits such as bitter pit in apples or blossom-end rot in tomatoes is increased by water stress. On the other hand with rising soil moisture the risk of blotchy ripening is increased. The fact that many plants are adapted to a wide range of day-night temperature and transpiration rate should be taken into consideration when controlling plant water potential in crop production. | |
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