ISHS Acta Horticulturae 278: Symposium on Scheduling of Irrigation for Vegetable Crops under Field Condition
POTENTIAL FOR IRRIGATION WITH CARBON DIOXIDE |
| Author: | F.D. Moore |
| Abstract:
In greenhouses where CO2 enrichment is economically successful, only fine tuning of the delivery systems is necessary. In the open field, the potential for the delivery of CO2 above ground is not good due primarily to lack of air stagnation during enrichment. Factors such as utilization of high-cash value crops, species of low stature with dense canopies, and soil pH optimatization become important. In the greenhouse, water is probably the least expensive production component, but in the field, water conservation due to enrichment may be important. The practice of mulching over drip irrigation tubing which delivers carbonated water may increase the potential for enrichment in the open field. More research must be done in order to quantify the amount of CO2/HCO3 carbon entering the roots and subsequently contributing to net assimilation. Certainly the inefficiency due to turbulent diffusion of CO2 above ground is not important with regard to below-ground enrichment. The problem of CO2 application intertwined with water requirement has yet to be solved. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
