Influence of irrigation on leaf water relations and dry matter production in coconut palms

Abstract

The effect of different frequencies of irrigation on the leaf water relations and dry matter production of the West Coast Tall coconut palms (Cocos nucifera L.) was studied during two growing seasons. Irrigation was applied in amounts of 60 mm at a ratio of irrigation water to cumulative pan evaporation (I/E) of 1.0, 0.75, 0.50 and 0.0. Measurements were made of stomatal resistance, leaf water potential and epicuticular wax content, and vegetative and reproductive dry matter production. Irrigation treatments resulted in a four-to five-fold increase in the soil water deficit at I/E ratios of 0.5 and 0.0 as compared to 1.0. Coconut palms experienced severe moisture stress at an irrigation level of 0.50, resulting in a greater stomatal resistance (111%) and epicuticular wax content (32%) and reduced transpiration rate (10%), leaf water potential (68%), and reproductive dry matter production (22%), compared with well watered palms. Based on the relationship between the soil water deficit and the stomatal resistance, the critical soil water deficit for irrigation scheduling was deduced to be 110 mm. However vegetative dry matter production was reduced at much lower soil water deficits than this value.