Effect of canopy management in the water status of cacao (Theobroma cacao) and the microclimate within the crop area

Background: Cacao is an umbrophile species and therefore the handling of shade by producers can cause a microclimatic modification that influences the physiology of the plant. Questions: Can canopy management influence the microclimate of the crop area and the water content of cacao? Species of study: Theobroma cacao L. (Malvaceae). Study site: Comalcalco, Tabasco, Mexico; dry and rainy season 2018. Methods: Three sites were selected with an open canopy (OC) and three with a closed canopy (CC), where we determined air temperature and humidity, soil temperature, vapor pressure deficit, photosynthetically active radiation, soil water potential and leaf water potential in 15 cacao trees and the sap flow density in 12 trees, by canopy condition and by season. Results: Higher values of solar radiation, air and soil temperature, vapor pressure deficit and lower relative humidity were recorded under OC compared to CC, in both seasons. Differences in soil water potential between 10 and 60 cm depth in CC were recorded during the dry season. There was a lower sap flow density and daily water use in OC. The leaf water potential was similar between canopy conditions, in both seasons. Conclusions: Changes in canopy coverage significantly modify the microclimate of the crop area, a less stressful environment being generated under closed canopy conditions, influencing the sap flow density of cacao trees.

Artificial Top Soil Drought Hardly Affects Water Use of Picea abies and Larix decidua Saplings at the Treeline in the Austrian Alps

This study quantified the effect of shallow soil water availability on sap flow density (Qs) of 4.9 ± 1.5 m tall Picea abies and Larix decidua saplings at treeline in the Central Tyrolean Alps, Austria. We installed a transparent roof construction around three P. abies and three L. decidua saplings to prevent precipitation from reaching the soil surface without notably influencing the above ground microclimate. Three additional saplings from each species served as controls in the absence of any manipulation. Roofing significantly reduced soil water availability at a 5–10 cm soil depth, while soil temperature was not affected. Sap flow density (using Granier-type thermal dissipation probes) and environmental parameters were monitored throughout three growing seasons. In both species investigated, three years of rain exclusion did not considerably reduce Qs. The lack of a significant Qs-soil water content correlation in P. abies and L. decidua saplings indicates sufficient water supply, suggesting that whole plant water loss of saplings at treeline primarily depends on evaporative demand. Future work should test whether the observed drought resistance of saplings at the treeline also holds for adult trees.

Stem Radius Variation in Response to Hydro-Thermal Factors in Larch

The response mechanism of the tree stem radius variation to hydro-thermal factors is complex and diverse. The changes of TWD (tree water deficit-induced stem shrinkage) and GRO (growth-induced irreversible stem expansion) are respectively driven by different factors, so that their responses to hydro-thermal factors are different. The stem radius variation and its matching hydro-thermal factors experimental data was measured and determined at 0.5 h time scale in larch (Larix gmelini Rupr.) forest of the Daxing’anling region of the most northeastern part of China. Response characteristics of the stem radius variation to hydro-thermal factors have been found by analyzing the data under different time windows. The stem radius variation mainly responded to the changes in precipitation and relative humidity. The main driving factors for TWD were sap flow density and solar radiation. The response of GRO to hydro-thermal factors was complex, varied a lot under different time scales. During the analysis of the response of tree radial growth, changes of the stem radius can be divided to TWD and GRO to implement separate studies on their responses to hydro-thermal factors. In this way, it becomes easier to discover the response of TWD under drought stress and the responding mechanism of GRO to hydro-thermal factors.

The relationship between sap flow density and environmental factors in the Yangtze River Delta region

Transpiration is an important component of the water balance in forest ecosystems. Quercus acutissima and Cunninghamia lanceolata are two important, fast-growing and commercial tree species that have been extensively used for vegetation restoration, water conservation and building artificial forests in the Yangtze River Delta Region of China. The primary objective of this study was to characterize sap flow densities of the two species by comparing diurnal, nocturnal and seasonal sap flow patterns and their relationships with environmental factors. Sap flow densities (Sd) were measured between September 2012 and August 2013 using the commercially-available thermal dissipation probes. Hourly meteorological data were measured in an open field, located 200 m away from the study site. Standard meteorological data were logged hourly at this site, including photosynthetically active radiation (Par), air temperature (Ta), relative air humidity (Rh), vapor pressure deficit (Vpd) and precipitation (P). Soil water content (Swc) data were logged hourly in different layers at Q.acutissima and C.lanceolata forests. Results indicated that the mean Sd in summer was higher than that in spring and autumn, and was lowest in winter. The Sd of Q. acutissima showed distinct diurnal patterns during the growth period (between May and October), and C. lanceolata followed similar sap flow patterns in all months except February. Nocturnal sap flow densities (Sdn) were noticeable and both species followed similar patterns during the growth period, in which Q. acutissima followed a power function from April to November and C. lanceolata followed similar patterns in all months except February. Pearson correlation analysis suggested that the sap flow density responded to environmental factors differently among each of the growing stages. The diurnal sap flow density (Sdd) was more sensitive to environmental factors than Sdn. The Sd during the growth period was more sensitive to environmental factors than in the dormant period. Par, Vpd and Ta were significantly correlated with Sdd in the whole year. In the nighttime, the sap flow density was also effected by the Vpd, Ta and Rh. The results of this study can be used to estimate the transpiration of Q. acutissima and C. lanceolata.

The relationship between sap flow density and environmental factors in the Yangtze River Delta region

Transpiration is an important component of the water balance in forest ecosystems. Quercus acutissima and Cunninghamia lanceolata are two important, fast-growing and commercial tree species that have been extensively used for vegetation restoration, water conservation and building artificial forests in the Yangtze River Delta Region of China. The primary objective of this study was to characterize sap flow densities of the two species by comparing diurnal, nocturnal and seasonal sap flow patterns and their relationships with environmental factors. Sap flow densities (Sd) were measured between September 2012 and August 2013 using the commercially-available thermal dissipation probes. Hourly meteorological data were measured in an open field, located 200 m away from the study site. Standard meteorological data were logged hourly at this site, including photosynthetically active radiation (Par), air temperature (Ta), relative air humidity (Rh), vapor pressure deficit (Vpd) and precipitation (P). Soil water content (Swc) data were logged hourly in different layers at Q.acutissima and C.lanceolata forests. Results indicated that the mean Sd in summer was higher than that in spring and autumn, and was lowest in winter. The Sd of Q. acutissima showed distinct diurnal patterns during the growth period (between May and October), and C. lanceolata followed similar sap flow patterns in all months except February. Nocturnal sap flow densities (Sdn) were noticeable and both species followed similar patterns during the growth period, in which Q. acutissima followed a power function from April to November and C. lanceolata followed similar patterns in all months except February. Pearson correlation analysis suggested that the sap flow density responded to environmental factors differently among each of the growing stages. The diurnal sap flow density (Sdd) was more sensitive to environmental factors than Sdn. The Sd during the growth period was more sensitive to environmental factors than in the dormant period. Par, Vpd and Ta were significantly correlated with Sdd in the whole year. In the nighttime, the sap flow density was also effected by the Vpd, Ta and Rh. The results of this study can be used to estimate the transpiration of Q. acutissima and C. lanceolata.