ISHS Acta Horticulturae 541: IV International Symposium on New Floricultural Crops
EFFECTS OF MINIMUM IRRIGATION TECHNIQUE ON ORNAMENTAL PARAMETERS OF TWO MEDITERRANEAN SPECIES USED IN XERIGARDENING AND LANDSCAPING |
| Authors: | J.P.L. Araújo-Alves, J.M. Torres-Pereira, C. Biel, F. de Herralde, R. Savé |
| Keywords: | Soil coverage, plant growth, SPAD, blossoming, Arbutus unedo L., Santolina chamaecyparissus L. |
| Abstract:
The maintenance of plants in the increasing number of gardens and in the revegetation of degraded landscape areas generates a rising demand of water. However, shortage of water due to low and irregular rainfalls in semiarid zones such as the Mediterranean requires a rationalised use of water. In view of this, measure reducing water consumption such as minimum irrigation technique together with the use of native species with the ability to maintain its minimum ornamental value under stress watering conditions are essential for low water consumption. The aim of this work was to determine the minimum watering dosage in two native Mediterranean species (Santolina chamaecyparissus L. and Arbutus unedo L.) in order to maintain its ornamental value for their use in green areas. The assay was carried out in Northeast of Spain. Plants were distributed in 18 independent plots sized 1.1 m2. One third of the plants (6 plots) were not irrigated whereas the remaining two thirds received weekly through drip irrigation the quantity of water corresponding to 20% and 40% of the ETP0, respectively. During this study were regularly evaluated soil water content, atmospheric environmental conditions, survival rate, growth in height and surface (covering of the ground), intensity of the green colour and blossoming's intensity and longevity of Santolina chamaecyparissus L. flowers. Both species show significant difference in studied parameters between them. The 40% treatment compared to 0% treatment promoted significant differences in al studied parameters in Santolina chamaecyparissus L. and only in height and SPAD in Arbutus unedo L. The 20% irrigation treatment compared to the 0% treatment only promoted significant differences in SPAD of both species. The irrigation treatments also promoted that differences in growth rate started before than in non-irrigated treatment. From these results we can conclude that reduced water applications can improve ornamental value of xerigardening and landscaping plants under Mediterranean conditions. | |
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