ISHS Acta Horticulturae 792: V International Symposium on Irrigation of Horticultural Crops
TRUNK DIAMETER VARIATIONS AS WATER STRESS INDICATOR IN PLUM AND GRAPEVINE |
| Authors: | D.S. Intrigliolo, J.R. Castel |
| Keywords: | LVDT sensor, stem water potential, trunk growth, trunk shrinkage |
| Abstract:
During the last four years we have been studying the usefulness of maximum daily trunk shrinkage (MDS) and of trunk growth rate (TGR) as water stress indicators for plum and grapevine plants. Both indices were obtained from short-term measurement of trunk diameter variations with linear variable displacement sensors. In well-irrigated plants of both species, MDS depended on the environmental conditions. In plum, MDS day-to-day variations were better correlated with air vapor pressure deficit, while in grapevine, a higher correlation was found with average air temperature. In both crops, phenology had a significant influence on the relationship between MDS or TGR and stem water potential (Ψs). In grapevine, trunk growth ceased after veraison, independently of vine water status, and MDS or TGR were not related to Ψs. In plum, fruit maturation slightly affected the MDS-Ψs relationship but the more abrupt change in this relationship occurred after harvest. In plum, crop load also affected MDS. For a given plum water status, MDS was also weakly dependent on tree size, as bigger trees have larger phloem thickness. Overall we conclude that phenological period, crop load and tree size are all important factors to be taken in consideration when analyzing the feasibility of MDS and TGR as water stress indicators. | |
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