Study of the distribution of fine roots and relationship with the water status of the Valência orange trees on Rangpur Lime system in irrigated and rainfed

• Grant number: 12/03342-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2012
• End date: July 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: João Domingos Rodrigues
• Grantee: João Domingos Rodrigues
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas (FCA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Among the factors related to the development and production of citrus water availability is one of the most relevant factors. The frequency and intensity of drought are the most important factors limiting the production. The use of irrigation in citrus orchards have been great and this increase in demand generates the need for studies involving the water status of citrus plants and all processes related to water use. The objective is to study the root distribution of orange to the maximum depth in irrigated and rainfed system and the relationship between the distribution of roots and plant water status. Work will be performed in a commercial orchard in the county of Orange Itatinga / SP. The experimental design is a randomized block, consisting of two treatments (irrigated and rainfed) and four replications. The orange trees have the root system and the maximum depth measured through collection of soil auger motor for two years, estimating the mass and area of fine roots. The increase of biomass is estimated by measuring the trunk diameter, plant height, biomass, fine root biomass and fruit production. The water status of plants will be monitored by means of sap flow sensors, monthly evaluations of the predawn leaf water potential and leaf potential minimum, monthly evaluations of gas exchange and stomatal conductance. It is hoped that this study relate to the characteristics of the root system with the water status of plants, leading to more efficient management of water use in citrus orchards. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ADRIANO, ELISA; LACLAU, JEAN-PAUL; RODRIGUES, JOAO DOMINGOS. Deep rooting of rainfed and irrigated orange trees in Brazil. TREES-STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION, v. 31, n. 1, p. 285-297, FEB 2017. (12/03342-7)