The role of rootstocks on carbohydrate metabolism and transport in citrus species ...
| Grant number: | 12/01734-5 |
| Support type: | Regular Research Grants |
| Duration: | May 01, 2012 - April 30, 2014 |
| Field of knowledge: | Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering |
| Principal Investigator: | Roberto Testezlaf |
| Grantee: | Roberto Testezlaf |
| Home Institution: | Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola (FEAGRI). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil |
| Assoc. researchers: | Maycon Diego Ribeiro ; Rhuanito Soranz Ferrarezi |
Abstract
Subirrigation has the potential to reduce water and nutrients losses in seedling production systems, allowing nutrient solution recycling and reuse, promoting less fertilizer use and reduction of its inappropriate discharge into the environment. The objectives of this project are: 1) to establish subirrigation water and nutrient management for Rangpur Lime production in cone-tainers, and 2) to automate a subirrigation system using soil moisture sensors to monitor and control volumetric water content in substrate, promoting irrigation according to plant water requirements. The treatments tested will correspond to four substrate moisture (0.12, 0.24, 0.36 and 0.48 m3 m-3) and three nutrient concentrations in the solution (25%, 50% and 75% of recommended fertilization). The experimental design will be a randomized block design with three replications. The automation will be accomplished by connecting sensors to a computer control system consisted of data logger, multiplexer and a relay driver, which will controls submersible pumps. There will be weekly determinations of pH and EC in the substrates. Plants will be evaluated weekly related to pests and diseases occurrence, light interception above and below the canopy, stomatal conductance and leaf photosynthesis. At 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days, plants will be sampled for shoot nutrient analysis, shoot height, stem diameter, shoots and roots dry mass. At the end of the experiment, production losses, water use efficiency and water losses in the irrigation process will be assessed. Results shall indicate if sensors will be effective in monitoring and control of subirrigation, settling water and nutritional management to promote adequate growth of Rangpur Lime rootstocks. (AU)