As blueberries are susceptible to water stress and their future cultivation in semiarid Mediterranean areas will be challenged by drought, irrigation management strategies will be needed to optimize ...water productivity and maintain sufficient levels of fruit yield and quality. This study aim was to evaluate the effect of different irrigation levels on plant water status, yield, fruit quality, and water productivity in a drip-irrigated rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade 'Tifblue') orchard. Four irrigation treatments based on crop evapotranspiration (ETc) were applied to blueberry plants during two consecutive growing seasons (2012/2013 and 2013/2014): 125 (farmers’ irrigation management, T1), 100 (T2), 75 (T3), and 50 (T4) % ETc. During the study, the average values of midday stem water potential (Ψstem) were −0.85, −0.86, −0.97 and −1.11 MPa for the T1, T2, T3, and T4 treatments, respectively. Fruit weight (FW), yield (Y), fruits per plant (FP), soluble solids (SS), and the water stress integral (WSI) were significantly affected by the irrigation treatments. The water productivity (WP), juice pH, and weight/volume ratio were statistically similar among the treatments. The highest values of Y, FP, and FW were observed in the T1 and T2 treatments, while the lowest values were found in the T4 treatment. In addition, the Y, FP, FW and WSI in the T1 and T2 treatments were significantly similar, but the total water application in the T2 treatment was between 20% and 27% lower than that in the T1 treatment. For the T1 and T2 treatments, the values of Y were between 8.8 and 9.4 kg plant −1, and the Ψstem was >−0.85 MPa during the two growing seasons. The interaction between irrigation treatments and growing season was only significant for the FW, with the lowest values observed in the T4 treatment during the 2012/2013 growing season.
•Irrigation at 100% evapotranspiration (ETc) reduced water use without affecting yield and quality.•Irrigation at 100% ETc reduced the water use between 950 and 1130 m3 ha−1 season−1.•Irrigation at 100% ETc maintained midday stem water potential >−1.0 MPa.•Irrigation at 50% ETc significantly decreased fruit weight and yield.•Irrigation at 50% ETc increased soluble solids and the water stress integral.
Irrigation management strategies based on soil–plant–climate interactions are the key to improving water productivity and maintaining optimum yield and quality for apple orchards growing under ...Mediterranean conditions where water availability for irrigation is significantly decreasing. Thus, an experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different irrigation levels on the yield, fruit quality, and water status of microsprinkler-irrigated apple trees (Malus domestica ‘Fuji’) located in a Mediterranean region in the central part of Chile. Four irrigation treatments were applied to a commercial orchard during the 2011/12 and 2013/14 growing seasons as follows: 125%, 100%, 75%, and 50% of actual evapotranspiration (ETa). Fruit yield (Y), crop load (fruits per tree, FP), fruit size (fruit weight (FW) and fruit diameter (FD)), fruit quality (firmness (FF), contents of soluble solids (SS), and starch (ST)), water productivity (WP), midday stem water potential (Ψstem), and water stress integral (WSI) were measured in each growing season. The results indicate that trees at 125% and 100% ETa reached an average Ψstem near − 1.0 MPa, whereas trees at 75% and 50% ETa reached Ψstem ∼ − 1.5 MPa. With the exception of FP, irrigation treatment had significant effects on Y, FW, FD, FF, SS, ST and WP. In this regard, the apple trees irrigated at 50% ETa produced fruits with the highest SS, FF, and WP, but the Y and fruit size (FW and FD) were significantly reduced because of severe water stress (average Ψstem ranged from −1.35 to −1.88 MPa). Apple trees with the 100% and 125% ETa treatments produced higher Y, FW, and FD than those with the 75% ETa treatment. In addition, the irrigation amount for apple trees irrigated at 125% ETa was 15% greater than for those irrigated at 100% ETa, but the yield and fruit quality were similar in both treatments. Finally, this study suggested that irrigation scheduling based on 100% ETa and Ψstem closed to − 1.5 MPa could be a suitable strategy for microsprinkler-irrigated apple (cv. Fuji) orchards growing in Mediterranean climate areas.
•Irrigating apple trees (cv Fuji) at 50% or 75% actual evapotranspiration (ETa) saved water but significantly reduced yield.•Over-irrigating apple trees at 125% ETa significantly reduces water productivity.100% ETa had great potential to increase yield and water savings.•Midday water potentials (Ψstem) > −1.5 MPa does not reduce the yield and quality of apple.•100% ETa and Ψstem close to − 1.5 MPa was a suitable irrigation strategy for the irrigated apple orchard.
Due to drought intensification in Mediterranean-type climates, raspberry growers need to implement irrigation scheduling to save water without decreases in yield and fruit quality. A study was ...performed to evaluate the effects of four irrigation levels on yield (Y), fruit number (FM2), fruit weight (FW), water productivity (WP), fruit quality (titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids (SS), weight to volume ratio (WV)), midday stem water potential (Ψstem), and water stress integral (WSI) in a furrow-irrigated red raspberry (Rubus ideaus L. ‘Heritage’) orchard. An experimental plot was established within a commercial raspberry orchard located in the Colbún valley, Maule Region, Chile, during the 2012/13 and 2013/14 growing seasons. The irrigation treatments were 125 (T1, farmer irrigation management), 100 (T2), 75 (T3) and 50% (T4) of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The results showed significant differences among treatments for Y and FM2, with the highest and lowest values observed under the T3 and T1 treatments, respectively. The T4 treatment had the highest values of WSI and WP compared to the other treatments. The effects of irrigation levels were not significant for SS and WV, but the lowest TA was observed under the T1 treatment. Results suggested that water application based on the 75% of ETc associated with Ψstem > −1.0 MPa was the most appropriate irrigation strategy for the furrow-irrigated red raspberry orchard because it had the highest Y (9.25 kg m−2) and saved water by 20–28% compared to the 125% and 100% ETc treatments.
•Over- and under irrigation reduced significantly yield in a furrow-irrigated red raspberry orchard.•Raspberry plants irrigated at 75% of actual evapotranspiration (ETc) had the highest yield and water productivity.•Raspberry plants irrigated at 75% of ETc had midday stem water potential (Ψstem) > −1.0 MPa.•Ψstem values and 75% of ETc seem to be an appropriate irrigation management strategy in furrow-irrigated raspberry orchards.
Abstract
Atmospheric longwave downward radiation (
L
d
) is one of the significant components of net radiation (R
n
), and it drives several essential ecosystem processes.
L
d
can be estimated with ...simple empirical methods using atmospheric emissivity (ε
a
) submodels. In this study, eight global models for ε
a
were evaluated, and the best-performing model was calibrated on a global scale using a parametric instability analysis approach. The climatic data were obtained from a dynamically consistent scale resolution of basic atmospheric quantities and computed parameters known as NCEP/NCAR reanalysis (NNR) data. The performance model was evaluated with monthly average values from the NNR data. The Brutsaert equation demonstrated the best performance, and then it was calibrated. The seasonal global trend of the Brutsaert equation calibrated coefficient ranged between 1.2 and 1.4, and the K-means analysis identified five homogeneous zones (clusters) with similar behavior. Finally, the calibrated Brutsaert equation improved the R
n
estimation, with an error reduction, at the worldwide scale, of 64%. Meanwhile, the error reduction for each cluster ranged from 18 to 77%. Hence, Brutsaert’s equation coefficient should not be considered a constant value for use in ε
a
estimation, nor in time or location.
The increase of vineyard's water consumption due to the Global Warming Phenomenon (GWP) has forced the winegrowers to strengthen their irrigation and water stewardship efforts, intended for ...maintaining this resource's long-term sustainable use. Due to water being a limited resource, implementing the Water Footprint (WF) concept in winegrapes production provides helpful information for sustainable water stewardship. Currently, an automated version of the satellite-based METRIC (Mapping Evapotranspiration with Internalized Calibration) model, the Google Earth Engine Evapotranspiration Flux (EEFlux) platform, has been suggested as an alternative to analyzing the spatial variability of an entire field's water consumption throughout the growing season. This work aimed to evaluate the potential application of the EEFlux satellite's actual evapotranspiration (ETa) products and ancillary field data to obtain the WF blue (WFb) and green (WFg) of six commercial vineyards placed in the Chilean central zone. Firstly, the reliability of the daily actual evapotranspiration data from EEFlux (ETa EEFlux) was assessed against measured ETa data, using an available database from previous studies.
The results of ETa EEFlux estimations against measured ETa were impressive, presenting a root square error (RMSE) of 0.8 mm day−1. The satellite-derived crop coefficients (Kc Sat) allowed to estimate the total WF of each vineyard, in a range of 200 to 900 m3 t−1, showing an average relative error (RE) of 101%, between the satellite-based WFb (WFb Sat) and those calculated from irrigation records (WFb). These results reflected the particular conditions of each vineyard and can be considered reasonable since they were estimated from ancillary data and EEFlux products. This study provides new insights that may represent opportunities to sustainably managing the irrigation of vineyards.
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•Vineyards water consumptions were assessed using satellite-based images.•Vineyard's water footprint, green and blue, were modeled based on EEFLux products.•New insights were found to sustainably managing the irrigation of vineyards.
To evaluate the partitioning of net radiation (R â) and actual evapotranspiration (ET â), measurements of R â, sensible heat flux (H), soil heat flux (G), latent heat flux (LE), reference ...evapotranspiration (ET â), transpiration (T â) and soil evaporation (E â) were taken during the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 growing seasons on a flat and uniform olive (cv. Arbequina) orchard, located in the Pencahue Valley, Región del Maule, Chile (35°23â² LS; 71°44â² LW; 96 m above sea level). Olive trees were trained on a triangular hedgerow system with a plant density of 1333 trees haâ»Â¹ (superintensive). An eddy covariance system, sapflow sensors and microlysimeter were used to measure ET â, T â and E â, respectively. Results indicated that the eddy covariance measurements showed a lack of the energy balance closure of 12.8 %. Values of LE, H and G were between 28â47, 34â68 and 2â6 % of R â, respectively, while ratios of T â and E â to ET â ranged between 0.64â0.74 and 0.26â0.36, respectively. During two growing seasons, the single crop coefficient (K c = ET â/ET â) was between 0.27 and 0.66, while the dual crop coefficient (T â/ET â + E â/ET â) ranged between 0.26 and 0.56. According to these results, H and T â were the main component of R â and ET â, respectively, for the particular conditions of the drip-irrigated olive orchard with a fractional cover of 30 % and wetted area of 4.5 %.
The current scientific evidence shows that phosphorus (P) appears to mitigate the adverse effects derived from water deficit stress. However, the efficiency of wheat in the use of both components ...have been not addressed. The objective of this study was to investigate the combined effect of P and water limiting conditions over phosphorus utilization efficiency (PUTE) and water use efficiency (WUE) to categorize different wheat genotypes.
Ten wheat genotypes, including old, current and advanced lines were screened for their ability to utilize phosphorus (P) and water. Plants were grown under controlled conditions on an Andisol with soil P-concentration of 4 mg P kg−1 (Inadequate P-4 P-), which was enriched to 30 mg P kg−1 (Adequate P-30 P-). Irrigation was applied at two levels: adequate irrigation (W1) and 30% of W1 (Inadequate irrigation -W2-). Wheat was grown until end of its phenological cycle.
The inadequate P and water produced a long delay on plant development, especially on early vegetative stages. As expected, the genotypes showed differences in their growth, development, P accumulation and yield in response to inadequate P and water conditions. The lowest performance in terms of plant growth, development and yield was observed when both the P and water restrictions were applied. Genotypic differences were observed in terms of utilization of P and water. On this basis, wheat genotypes were grouped into three and four classes for PUTE WUE, respectively. The most efficient genotype for all the conditions was “Fritz”, which obtained the highest score in the consolidated ranking for PUTE and WUE. On the contrary, “Kirón” was the most inefficient genotype. A strong correlation (~85%) was observed between PUTE and WUE, which could enable the future selection of co-adapted wheat genotypes efficient in the utilization of P and water.
•The P and water scarcity produced a delay on plant growth and development, especially on early vegetative stages.•A high genetic variability among the wheat genotypes was observed for their utilization of P and water.•There is an interactive role between phosphorus utilization efficiency (PUTE) and water utilization efficiency (WUE).•The categorization for PUTE and WUE allow the selection of co-adapted cultivars adapted to water and P limiting conditions.
The phosphorus (P) addition can be helpful in the mitigation of the adverse effects of water deficit stress. However, the efficiency of wheat in utilizing both components has not been assessed in ...field conditions. This research aims to assess the effects of P and water addition on phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) and water productivity (WP) in field conditions for select wheat cultivars co-adapted to climate-induced agronomic challenges. Three wheat cultivars were selected based on their PUE and water WP from a previous experiment. The trials were conducted in field conditions over two consecutive years, from 2020 to 2021 (Season 1) and 2021–2022 (Season 2). The plants were grown on an andisol with a soil P concentration of 10 mg P kg−1 and 30 mg P kg−1. Two irrigation treatments were imposed: Well-watered (+W) and dryland (-W). The plants were sampled at three stages: tillering (Z25), anthesis (Z65), and ripening (Z95). At the end of the phenological cycle, grain yield components, grain yield, grain quality, PUE, and WP were evaluated. Phosphorus addition promotes plant growth, especially in the early vegetative stages, by enhancing tiller development and nutrient and water uptake. These effects were critical during the anthesis and ripening stages, enhancing yield components and higher grain production. Differential responses were observed across cultivars, underscoring the genotype-specificity in PUE and WP. Seasonal water deficit stress modulated these effects, highlighting a more complex genotype-environment-nutrient interaction. The water addition promoted PUE and WP, suggesting a synergy between the two components. Among the cultivars, Chevignon outperformed in grain yield, PUE, and WP. However, while phosphorus, water, and environmental factors influenced grain quality, the genetic background of the cultivar was the primary determinant of these components. This study advocates for implementing individual nutrient management strategies tailored to the specific cultivar and adaptable to environmental conditions under climate change.
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•Phosphorus boosts wheat growth by 30% under dryland conditions.•Phosphorus enhances gluten and protein content in wheat under dryland conditions.•Phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) varies across phenological stages and wheat cultivars.•The genetic background of cultivars predominantly determines wheat grain protein and gluten composition.
It is well known that phosphorus (P) addition helps mitigate the adverse effects of water deficit stress on plants. However, the efficiency of spring wheat genotypes in the use of both components has ...not been addressed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of P and water limiting conditions over phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) and water use efficiency (WUE) to categorize different spring wheat genotypes. Eight spring wheat genotypes were selected based on their yield tolerance index score (YTI) obtained from a previous screening of 384 wheat genotypes. They were evaluated for their ability to use P and water. Plants were grown under semi-controlled conditions on an Andisol with soil P-concentration of 3.4 mg P kg−1 (-P), which was enriched to 30 mg P kg−1 (+P). Irrigation was applied at two levels: well-watered (+W) and 30% +W (water-stressed, -W). Wheat was grown until the end of its phenological cycle. The P and water scarcity produced a delay in wheat development, especially in the first vegetative stages. Genotypic differences in growth, development, P accumulation, and yield were observed in response to P and water limiting conditions. The lowest performance in plant growth and grain yield was regarded when the P and water restrictions were applied. However, differences were observed in terms of PUE and WUE. In this sense, spring wheat genotypes were grouped into three and four classes for PUE and WUE, respectively. The most efficient genotype for all the conditions was “QUP2418”, which obtained the highest score in the consolidated PUE and WUE ranking. On the contrary, “FONTAGRO 92″ and “F6CL091337″ were the most inefficient genotypes. Strong correlations were observed between PUE components and WUE, enabling the future selection of co-adapted wheat genotypes efficient in the use of P and water.
•The P and water scarcity produced a delay in plant growth and development, especially in early vegetative stages.•High genetic variability among the wheat genotypes was observed for their use of P and water.•There is an interactive role between phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) and water use efficiency (WUE).•The categorization for PUE and WUE could allow the selection of co-adapted genotypes adapted to water and P limiting conditions.
The aim of this research was to evaluate the clumped model for estimating latent heat flux (LE) and actual evapotranspiration (ETₐ) over a non-water-stressed olive orchard. Additionally, submodels to ...compute the net radiation Rn
, soil heat flux G, and canopy resistance
r
s
c
were also included. For this objective, a database was used from an experimental unit inside a commercial superintensive drip-irrigated olive orchard located in the Pencahue Valley, Maule Region, Chile (35°23′S, 71°44′W; 96 m above sea level) during the 2009/10 and 2010/11 growing seasons. The evaluation was carried out using measurements of LE obtained from an eddy covariance (EC) system. In addition, estimated values of Rn
, G, and
r
s
c
were compared with ground-truth measurements from a four-way net radiometer, soil heat flux plates with soil thermocouples, and a portable porometer, respectively. Results indicated that the clumped model underestimated LE and ETₐ with errors of 11.0% and 3.0%, respectively. Values of the root-mean-square error (RMSE), mean bias error (MBE), and index of agreement dr
for LE were 35 W m−2, −1.0 W m−2, and 0.96, while those for ETₐ were 0.48 mm day−1, 0.04 mm day−1, and 0.64, respectively. The submodels computed Rn
and G with errors less than 6% and RMSE values less than 65 W m−2, while the Jarvis-type model predicted
r
s
c
with RMSE = 41 s m−1 and MBE = 7.0 s m−1. Finally, a sensitivity analysis indicated that the ETₐ estimated by the clumped model was significantly affected by variations of ±30% in the values of the LAI and the minimum stomatal resistance r
stmin.
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