Abstract Title: Water uptake of Phreatophytes and Non-phreatophytes in the N-P CZO in Central India through Sapflow measurements

Abstract

    The Narkhed-Pandhurna Critical Zone Observatory (CZO) is an agriculture intensive watershed in the central India. Agriculture accounts for approximately 39.92% of the total area (137sq.km) of the watershed. The watershed is the hub of orange cultivation in the country. The irrigation of the orange orchards is met by Flood irrigation. Besides, the study area is characterized by cultivation of wheat, gram, soybean, rice, red gram, cotton, and vegetables. In view of the indiscriminate withdrawal of groundwater, the groundwater stage development is on the verge of over exploitation. In this scenario, the water demand of the trees, namely Orange (Citrus sinensis) and Neem (Azadirachta indica) trees is being studied through measurement of the root water uptake in the month of October, November and December, 2023. The thermal dissipation probe sensors (SF-G) were used at real time data over 30 minute’s interval to track the daily changes in sap flow throughout the study. The findings reveal notable distinctions in sap flow characteristics. On an average, the water uptake by Orange trees was 79.83, 88.94, and 80.02 Litres/month during the months of October, November, and December 2023, respectively. The water uptake is significantly less than the water used for irrigation (5500 litres/month).  In contrast, Neem trees exhibited lower water consumption with values of 11.65, 8.54, and 6.42 Litres/month during the same period. This indicates that Neem trees have a comparatively lower water uptake compared to Orange trees. The lower water uptake is on account of limited availability of soil moisture in view of absence of irrigation. The study can lead to informed understanding of plant water dynamics, thereby enhancing knowledge related to plant health and ecological systems, with practical implications for improved irrigation practices in semi arid regions.