ISHS Acta Horticulturae 175: Symposium on Physiology of Productivity of Subtropical and Tropical Tree Fruits
DETERMINING PATTERNS OF SOIL WATER USE BY BANANAS |
| Author: | J.W. Daniells |
| Abstract:
Information on the effective rooting zone of plants is a necessity in irrigation research. It is required for determining placement of irrigation water, fertilizers and soil pesticides and as a guide to irrigation scheduling. Root distribution studies required to obtain this information are not a small task. The results so obtained tell that a certain percentage of the root system is located in a particular place. However, the actual pattern of soil water use may be different for various reasons. The measurement of changes in soil water beneath the plant with time will give a clearer picture of the effective rooting zone. Tensiometers were inserted at different depths and distances away from banana plants and were monitored with time after a thorough soil wetting. The soil dried faster, the greater the proximity to the plants, with the majority of water use within a 1.5m radius and to a depth of 90cm (the limit of measurement in the present experiment). The latter depth was much deeper than expected as roots below 60cm are rare, suggesting a strong hydraulic gradient existed towards the drier areas of the soil profile. Significant soil surface evaporation was also suggested by the results. The technique has potential to greatly enhance our understanding of plant responses to irrigation. | |
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