ISHS Acta Horticulturae 171: I International Symposium on Water Relations in Fruit Crops
WATER CONSUMPTIVE USE OF OLIVE TREES (OLEA EUROPAEA) AND EFFECT OF WATER STRESS ON LEAF WATER POTENTIAL AND DIFFUSIVE RESISTANCE. |
| Authors: | S. Natali, C. Xiloyannis, P. Angelini |
| Abstract:
The water consumption of three year old olive trees of 'Moraiolo', 'Leccino' and 'Frantoio' cultivars, grown in containers, was measured over the whole year by periodic weighing of the containers and controlled water dosing. Transpiration and evapotranspiration were determined per cm2 of leaf by periodic measurement of the leaf area. These two variables ranged throughout the year from 10 to 30 and from 20 to 80 mg. of water per cm2 of leaf per day respectively. The highest consumption was recorded in the summer months and was related to the calculated evapotranspiration (Blaney & Criddle formula) and to 'A pan' evaporation. The three cultivars were subjected to increasing water stress up to values of -3.0 M.Pa in leaf water potential before sunrise.
They reacted substantially in the same way to the rehydration.
Furthermore, it was noted that all the cultivars, although reaching high leaf water potential values In the recovery phase the leaf water potential and stomatal conductance of the stressed plants rapidly regained the values of the control plants. No stomatal inertia phenomenon, even temporary, was observed during this phase, though it has been found in other species (peach and grapevine) subjected to the same treatment. Leaf water potential values taken before sunrise were useful indicators of available water content in the soil; these parameters were found to be in good correlation. | |
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1, showed an intense transpiration rate even if the water available in the soil was at levels which are considered critical for other species.
