Water content of a red-brown earth subjected to a range of agronomic vegetation options in south-eastern Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 587 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Whitfield
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Water Deficit ◽  
Soil Water Deficit ◽  
Water Deficits ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Ground Water Recharge ◽  
South Eastern Australia

The management of ground water recharge in south-eastern Australia relies on the formulation of agricultural practices that utilise rainfall before it moves below the root-zone. Annual cycles of soil water content were therefore measured in a red-brown earth subjected to 5 fallow-free crop sequences, to 2 crop sequences that included fallow, and to 3 pastures. Changes in soil water content induced by wheat, barley, lupin, pea, safflower, canola, and fallow were compared with those of annual pasture and 2 monocultures of the deep-rooted perennials phalaris and lucerne in 3 years of study. Mean minimum soil water content (0–1.6 m) seen in December and May was approximately 355 mm in lucerne and phalaris, 410 mm in annuals (crops and pasture), and 475 mm in fallow. Corresponding soil water deficits appropriate to lucerne, annuals, and fallow were 185, 135, and 65 mm, respectively. Lucerne and annuals both removed approximately 85 mm water from the upper 0.6 m of the soil profile. Differences arose in the subsoil below 0.6 m, where lucerne, annuals, and fallow produced soil water deficits of approximately 100, 50, and 25 mm, respectively. The difference in soil water deficit of deep-rooted perennials and annuals was therefore caused by the extra 50 mm of water extracted by lucerne and phalaris below 0.6 m in the period September–December. The dry subsoil endured through summer to promote the storage, by soil, of rainfall in winter. The data suggest that the spatial utility of an agronomic recharge control option in south-eastern Australia depends on the magnitude of the soil water deficit associated with the vegetation. The soil water deficit, relative to winter (May–August) rainfall, discriminates between areas where annuals suffice for recharge control, where lucerne and phalaris are required for recharge control, and where agronomic annuals and perennials are both conducive to high rates of drainage.

The Effect of Dry Pegging Zone Soil on Pod Formation of Florunner Peanut1

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Sexton ◽  
J. M. Bennett ◽  
K. J. Boote
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Water Deficit ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Soil Water Deficit ◽  
Seed Growth ◽  
Pod Development

Abstract Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) fruit growth is sensitive to surface soil (0-5 cm) conditions due to its subterranean fruiting habit. This study was conducted to determine the effect of soil water content in the pegging zone (0-5 cm) on peanut pod growth rate and development. A pegging-pan-root-tube apparatus was used to separately control soil water content in the pegging and root zone for greenhouse trials. A field study also was conducted using portable rainout shelters to create a soil water deficit. Pod phenology, pod and seed growth rates, and final pod and seed dry weights were determined. In greenhouse studies, dry pegging zone soil delayed pod and seed development. In the field, soil water deficits in the pegging and root zone decreased pod and seed growth rates by approximately 30% and decreased weight per seed from 563 to 428 mg. Pegs initiating growth during drought stress demonstrated an ability to suspend development during the period of soil water deficit and to re-initiate pod development after the drought stress was relieved.

scholarly journals Effects of water deficit on the growth and yield formation of maize (Zea mays L.)

2017 ◽  
pp. 143-148
Author(s):  
Mahama Salifu
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Water Deficit ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Field Soil ◽  
The World ◽  
Soil Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Water Holding

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important consuming cereal crop in the world after rice and wheat. This requires an understanding of various management practices as well as conditions that affect maize crop performance. Water deficit stress during crop production is one of the most serious threats to crop production in most parts of the world and drought stress or water deficit is an inevitable and recurring feature of global agriculture and it is against this background that field study of crops response to water deficit is very important to crop producer and researchers to maximize yield and improve crop production in this era of unpredicted climatic changes the world over.A pot experiment was carried out to determine the effects of water deficit on growth and yield formation of maize. Two maize cultivars were used Xundan20 and Zhongdan5485. Three levels of soil water content were used in two stages of water control levels at two stages of the maize plant development1. The JOINTING STAGE: A. CONTROL (CK) soil water content: from 70% to 80% of soil water holding capacity at the field, soil water content: from 55% to 65% of soil water holding capacity at the field, soil water content: from 40% to 50% of the Soil water holding capacity at the field.2. The BIG FLARE PERIOD: A. CONTROL (CK) soil water content: from 75% to 85% of soil water holding capacity at the field, soil water content: from 58% to 68% of soil water holding capacity at the field, soil water content: from 45% to 55% of the soil water holding capacity at the field.This research mainly studied the effects of water deficit on physiological, morphology and the agronomical characteristics of the maize plant at the different water stress levels.The importance of these results in this experiment will enable plant producers to focus and have a fair idea as to which stage of the maize plant’s development that much attention must be given to in terms of water supply.

scholarly journals Tomato and Nightshade (Solanum nigrum L. and S. ptycanthum Dun.) Effects on Soil Water Content

1992 ◽  
Vol 117 (5) ◽  
pp. 730-735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milton E. McGiffen ◽  
John B. Masiunas ◽  
Morris G. Huck
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Water Deficit ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Eastern Black Nightshade ◽  
Black Nightshade ◽  
Tomato Yield ◽  
Solanum Nigrum L

Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the response of eastern black nightshade (Solanum ptycanthum), black nightshade (S. nigrum), and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Heinz 6004) to water stress and the effect of nightshade-tomato competition on soil water content. In the greenhouse, plants were exposed to three water regimes induced by watering either daily, weekly, or biweekly. Water deficit caused a similar decrease in height, weight, and leaf area in all three species. There was more than a 50% reduction in height when the plants were watered biweekly compared with daily watering. Water stress caused a shift in biomass from shoots to roots in all three species. Black nightshade and tomato produced thinner leaves in response to water deficit. Companion field experiments were conducted during the 1989 and 1990 growing seasons in Urbana, Ill. Eastern black nightshade and black nightshade were transplanted at densities of 0.8, 1.6, 3.2, and 4.8 plants/m2, 5 days after tomatoes were transplanted. These nightshade densities caused significant reductions in soil water content. In 1989, only the highest density of either nightshade species reduced topsoil water content. In 1990, all densities of nightshade, except the two lowest densities of black nightshade, reduced topsoil water content. Eastern black nightshade consistently had a greater effect on tomato yield than black nightshade. Tomato yields averaged over both years were 17,000 and 8,000 kg·ha-1 at the highest (4.8 plants/m*) density of black and eastern black nightshade, respectively. The decrease in soil moisture from high densities of nightshade could not account for the reduced yields.

scholarly journals Adapting a Cloud-Based Irrigation Scheduler for Sugar Beets in the High Plains

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-488
Author(s):  
Allan A. Andales ◽  
Andrew C. Bartlett ◽  
Troy A. Bauder ◽  
Erik M. Wardle
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Beet ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Deficit ◽  
Crop Coefficient ◽  
Irrigation Scheduling ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
High Plains ◽  
Soil Water Deficit ◽  
Sugar Beets ◽  
Water Deficits

Highlights An existing sugar beet crop coefficient curve (K cr ) was modified to better represent canopy development in northeast Colorado conditions. The modified K cr curve improved the estimated soil water deficits (net irrigation requirements) calculated by the cloud-based Water Irrigation Scheduler for Efficient Application (WISE App). Feedback from sugar beet growers and agronomists helped expand WISE applicability in the northern High Plains with access to additional weather station networks and functionality to aggregate irrigation data across multiple sugar beet fields or regions. Abstract . The convergence of agrometeorological network, database, and cloud-computing technologies has enabled greater accessibility of irrigation management tools for growers. The goal of this research and outreach project was to adapt an existing cloud-based irrigation scheduler (WISE) for use by sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) producers in eastern Colorado and a wider area of a cooperative operating in Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana. Four center pivot sugar beet fields in northeast Colorado were monitored during the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. Soil water, leaf area index (LAI), and weather data were used to estimate the soil water deficit (net irrigation requirement) and to modify a crop coefficient (Kcr) curve originally reported in the literature based on growing degree days (GDD). The average cumulative GDDs for sugar beets to mature (100% maturity) was 2,944°C·d. The localized Kcr had a peak value (Kcr,mid) occurring between 43% and 69% of maturity, which corresponded to effective full cover (LAI = 3) and start of leaf senescence, respectively. In contrast, the original Kcr curve from literature had a longer duration of Kcr,mid spanning 33% to 83% of maturity. Use of the modified Kcr curve in lieu of the original Kcr curve in WISE reduced the relative error of soil water deficits by 12% to 35%. Feedback and collaborations from representative sugar beet growers and agronomists in the Western Sugar Cooperative led to expansion of WISE weather data access in the High Plains to include sugar beet growing areas in western Nebraska, eastern and northern Wyoming, and southern Montana. Keywords: Crop coefficient, Evapotranspiration, Irrigation scheduling, Soil water balance, Soil water deficit, Sugar beets.

Hydraulic conductance of intact plants of two contrasting sorghum lines, SC15 and SC1205

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
pp. 730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunita Choudhary ◽  
Thomas R. Sinclair ◽  
P. V. Vara Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Hydraulic Conductance ◽  
Leaf Conductance ◽  
Soil Drying ◽  
Water Deficits ◽  
Intact Plants ◽  
The Impact

Low plant hydraulic conductance has been hypothesised as an approach to decrease the rate of soil water use, resulting in soil water conservation for use during late season water deficits. The impact of leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf) on water use characteristics was explored by comparing two sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) genotypes that had been found to differ in Kleaf. Genotype SC15 had a much lower leaf conductance than genotype SC1205. Four sets of experiments were undertaken to extend the comparison to the impact of differences in Kleaf on the plant water budget. (1) Measurements of hydraulic conductance of intact plants confirmed that leaf conductance of SC15 was lower than that of SC1205. (2) The low leaf conductance of SC15 was associated with a decrease in transpiration during soil drying at a higher soil water content than that of SC1205. (3) SC15 had a restricted transpiration rate at vapour pressure deficits (VPD) above 2.1 kPa, whereas SC1205 did not. (4) Treatment with aquaporin inhibitors showed substantial differences in the sensitivity of the transpiration response between the genotypes. These results demonstrated that low Kleaf in SC15 was associated with conservative water use by restricting transpiration at higher soil water content during soil drying and under high VPD. Tests with inhibitors indicate that these differences may be linked to differences between their aquaporin populations. The differences between the two genotypes indicated that the traits exhibited by SC15 would be desirable in environments where soil water deficits develop.

An index for plant water deficit based on root-weighted soil water content

2015 ◽  
Vol 522 ◽  
pp. 285-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianchu Shi ◽  
Sen Li ◽  
Qiang Zuo ◽  
Alon Ben-Gal
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Water Deficit ◽  
Plant Water ◽  
Plant Water Deficit

Pathways for losses of fertilizer nitrogen from a Rhodes grass pasture in south-eastern Queensland

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 259 ◽  
Author(s):  
VR Catchpoole
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Rhodes Grass ◽  
Fertilizer Nitrogen ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Growth Chambers ◽  
Gas Tight

The importance of surface run-off water, leaching and evolution of gases on losses of nitrogen fertilizer from a Rhodes grass pasture in south-eastern Queensland were assessed. Field microplots encased in steel tubes 21 cm in diameter and 60 cm deep were equipped to collect surface run-off, fertilized with 15NH415NO3 prills at the rate of 150 kg nitrogen ha-1 and destructively sampled at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 40 weeks after fertilizing. The recovery of 15N in the soil-plant system, losses of 15N in surface run-off and movements of 15N down the soil profile were measured. Open pasture plots were fertilized with NH4NO3 at rates of 0 and 150 kg nitrogen ha-1 and harvested at the same times as the microplots. The results were used to calculate the apparent recovery of fertilizer nitrogen by the plant tops. Pasture cores of 11.5 cm diam. and 12.0 cm deep were given the same fertilizer treatment as the microplots, placed in gas-tight growth chambers for periods of 4 weeks starting at 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after fertilizing, and used to measure gaseous losses of 15N. The effects of soil water content ranging from field capacity to waterlogged on these losses were studied on a second series of cores. The apparent recovery of fertilizer nitrogen and the recovery of 15N in plant tops were usually well below 20%, and the recovery of 15N in the soil-plant system of the microplots was always below 50% of the amount applied. Most of the loss of 15N occurred during the first 4 weeks. A large part of the 15N lost from the field microplots was not traced, but the results demonstrated that surface run-off and leachate should not be ignored during nitrogen balance studies on pastures in south-eastern Queensland. Surface run-off generally removed less than 5% of the 15N, but the loss was 40% from one microplot. Losses due to leaching were not quantified, but a small significant excess of 15N in soil layers below 60 cm suggested that they did occur. Gaseous losses of 15N from waterlogged pasture cores reached 27%, but they were small or absent from cores with a soil water content at or below field capacity. Detailed work in the gas-tight growth chambers to define the soil conditions associated with gaseous losses of nitrogen are needed to relate laboratory findings to field conditions.

Tree water sources over shallow, saline groundwater in the lower River Murray, south-eastern Australia: implications for groundwater recharge mechanisms

2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 193 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Holland ◽  
S. D. Tyerman ◽  
L. J. Mensforth ◽  
G. R. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Riparian Vegetation ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Plant Water ◽  
Deep Soil ◽  
Saline Groundwater ◽  
Low Salinity ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
South Eastern Australia

The decline of riparian vegetation in the lower River Murray, south-eastern Australia, is associated with a reduction in flooding frequency, extent and duration, and increased salt accumulation. The plant water sources of healthy Eucalyptus largiflorens trees growing over highly saline (>40 dS m–1) groundwater were investigated during summer when water deficit is greatest. The study found low-salinity soil water overlying highly saline groundwater at most sites. This deep soil water, rather than the saline groundwater, was identified as the plant water source at most sites. Stable isotopes of water and water potential measurements were used to infer how the deep soil water was recharged. The low-salinity, deep soil water was recharged in the following two ways: (1) vertically through the soil profile or via preferential flow paths by rainfall or flood waters or (2) horizontally by bank recharge from surface water on top of the saline groundwater. Vertical infiltration of rainfall and floodwaters through cracking clays was important for trees growing in small depressions, whereas infiltration of rainfall through sandy soils was important for trees growing at the break of slope. Bank recharge was important for trees growing within ∼50 m of permanent and ephemeral water bodies. The study has provided a better understanding of the spatial patterns of recharge at a scale relevant to riparian vegetation. This understanding is important for the management of floodplain vegetation growing in a saline, semi-arid environment.

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