CHARACTERIZATION OF PEACH ROOTS UNDER SEMIARID CONDITIONS INFLUENCED BY IRRIGATION TIMING

Field studies were conducted June 2, July 27, and October 15, 1988 to determine root concentrations within the dry and wetted soil of trickle-irrigated peach trees (Redglobe variety) in Windthorst fine sandy loam soil. Two “dryland” and four irrigation treatments (based on time of year irrigation initiated and previous irrigation history) were used. A single soil core sample 2.2 cm in diameter and 80 cm deep was taken 50 cm from trickle emitters on each of 8 trees per irrigation treatment and a single sample taken the same distance from the trunk on the “dry” side of the 8 trees in each dryland treatment. Each core was sectioned into 20-cm increments, washed, roots collected, separated (small, feeder roots; large suberized roots), dried and weighed. Analyses of data for the small, feeder roots showed a significant difference (0.01 level) in root density between treatments, between sample times (each treatment), and with depth (each treatment). Root concentrations were highest in soils that had received irrigation in previous years and also when irrigation was initiated early in the year. Root concentrations were also found to be highest in the top 20 cm of soil regardless of treatment.

CHARACTERIZATION OF PEACH ROOTS UNDER SEMIARID CONDITIONS INFLUENCED BY IRRIGATION TIMING

Field studies were conducted June 2, July 27, and October 15, 1988 to determine root concentrations within the dry and wetted soil of trickle-irrigated peach trees (Redglobe variety) in Windthorst fine sandy loam soil. Two “dryland” and four irrigation treatments (based on time of year irrigation initiated and previous irrigation history) were used. A single soil core sample 2.2 cm in diameter and 80 cm deep was taken 50 cm from trickle emitters on each of 8 trees per irrigation treatment and a single sample taken the same distance from the trunk on the “dry” side of the 8 trees in each dryland treatment. Each core was sectioned into 20-cm increments, washed, roots collected, separated (small, feeder roots; large suberized roots), dried and weighed.Analyses of data for the small, feeder roots showed a significant difference (0.01 level) in root density between treatments, between sample times (each treatment), and with depth (each treatment). Root concentrations were highest in soils that had received irrigation in previous years and also when irrigation was initiated early in the year. Root concentrations were also found to be highest in the top 20 cm of soil regardless of treatment.