Abstract
Information about olive-tree irrigation in sub-humid climates, as in Uruguay, is scarce. Water consumption of young olive trees, Arbequina variety, was measured for two years with six drainage lysimeters, protected from rain by an automatic rain-out shelter. Irrigation water volume and drainage of each lysimeter were measured daily and soil moisture was registered twice a week with neutron probe at four depths. Evapotranspiration (ETc) was calculated by volume balance. Data periods when available water descended below 50% or increased over 100% were eliminated, as those in which the stem water potential was below -1.5 MPa. Water consumption values were averaged within 7- to 14-day periods, expressed in mm·d-1, and referred to a 2.5 × 5.5 m plantation framework without vegetation cover. There was a positive linear relation of the summer crop coefficient (Kc mid) with age, canopy cover percentage and canopy volume. Canopy cover percentage was the parameter which explained most of the variation of Kc mid, which ranged between 0.13 and 0.24, with 5% and 46% canopy cover, respectively. Full irrigation, associated to a good drainage resulted in a rapid growth of the young plants, bringing forward the start of full production period. This represents useful information for the adjustment of irrigation in olive-tree orchards, to accelerate growth with a rational and sustainable use of both water and energy in Uruguay.
Highlights
The olive tree is traditionally grown in rainfed conditions in a Mediterranean climate
Results of evapotranspiration and Kc mid presented are representative of young orchards, where radiation received by plants is not affected by shading of contiguous plants, and where aerodynamic phenomena influence each plant individually
A positive linear relation was found between Kc mid and canopy cover percentage
Summary
The olive tree is traditionally grown in rainfed conditions in a Mediterranean climate. There are several studies proving that this crop has a good response to irrigation, as it enhances young plant growth, increases adult plant olive production in weight [1]-[3], and shows a rapid adaptation in the transition from a rainfed to an irrigated system [4]. An important expansion of olive-tree production began in Uruguay in 2003. The cultivated area has reached 9000 hectares, according to the Uruguayan Olive-tree Association [5]. Most of the information regarding olive trees has been generated in arid or semi-arid climates, while there is scarce information for this crop in sub-humid climates, as Uruguay. Generation of local knowledge on crop evapotranspiration (ETc) is crucial for an efficient irrigation management, which would enable fitting irrigation volume and frequency to crop requirements
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