Comparison of emitters of ceramic tube and polyvinyl formal under negative pressure irrigation on soil water use efficiency and nutrient uptake of crown daisy

Abstract

This study compared water-use efficiency (WUE) and nutrient absorption of Glebionis coronaria L. through emitters of ceramic tube (CT) and polyvinyl formal (PF) under negative pressure irrigation. Three (↓4 kPa, ↓8 kPa, ↓12 kPa) water-supply treatments and artificial watering (CK) with pot experiments were investigated. The results showed that soil water content ranged from 18.1 to 27.2% with CT and 18.5–27.6% with PF, respectively. A decrease of water supply pressure resulted in a gradual decrease of water supply, water consumption, and nitrogen content of Glebionis coronaria L., whereas the contents of phosphorus and potassium gradually increased. The soil water content, plant height, yield, nutrient uptake, and WUE of plants irrigated with the PF emitter were superior to those irrigated with the CT emitter. The best water supply model was a water supply pressure of ↓4 kPa during the early growth stage and ↓8 kPa in the middle and late stages. Thus, water supply pressure has significant effects on the growth and development, yield, WUE, and nutrient absorption of Crown Daisy.