Abstract
Research Highlights: The mean leaf angle and crown projection area can be used as criteria for grouping tree seedling species in different irrigation zones in tree nurseries with overhead microsprinkler systems, preventing water and fertilizer waste, and increasing growth. Background and Objectives: There are important gaps in current functional knowledge about how plant architecture, especially the mean leaf angles of tree seedlings, affect water and nutrient solution capture in overhead microsprinkler systems. These gaps contribute to water and fertilizer waste in tree nurseries. This research aimed to ascertain how mean leaf angles affect irrigation water capture, leaching, and the growth of tree seedlings given different volumes of irrigation. Materials and Methods: Nine species of tree seedlings with different mean leaf angles were submitted to four irrigation volumes (8, 10, 12, and 14 mm) applied daily by overhead microsprinklers in a split-plot design completely randomized. The variables leaching fraction, height, stem diameter, shoot, root, and total dry mass, Dickson quality index, crown projection area, root system quality, and leachate electrical conductivity were evaluated. Results: For species with mean leaf angles of −54, 31, 38, 42, 55, 57, and 58°, the 8 mm irrigation volume was sufficient to produce greater growth and less leaching. For species with angles of −56 and −14°, the 14 mm irrigation volume was required to produce greater growth. Conclusions: The tree seedling species with positive mean leaf angles facilitate irrigation water and nutrient solution capture, allowing the application of lower irrigation volume. On the other hand, some tree seedling species with negative mean leaf angles hinder irrigation water and nutrient solution capture, requiring the application of higher irrigation volume. When the tree seedling species have a negative mean leaf angle, but the crown projection area is small, the difficulty of water and nutrient solution reaches directly the substrate is attenuated.
Highlights
The nursery production has traditionally focused on producing seedlings efficiently and economically
We demonstrated how mean leaf angles affect irrigation water and nutrient solution capture in different irrigation volumes and how they affect the leaching and growth of tree seedlings
This study demonstrates that tree seedling species with positive mean leaf angles facilitate irrigation water and nutrient solution capture and the direction to the substrate in overhead microsprinkler systems; the application of a lower irrigation volume (8 mm) results in less leaching and greater growth
Summary
The nursery production has traditionally focused on producing seedlings efficiently and economically. There is a growing interest in reducing the environmental impacts of seedling production [1], especially the impacts related to water use for irrigation. The purpose of irrigation in tree nurseries is to artificially supply water to meet plant water needs for economic production [2]. Finding a single correct irrigation level is challenging in tropical tree nurseries due to the different cultivated species and growth stage [5,6,7]. Most nurseries use an excess of water and, achieve low irrigation efficiency and seedling growth [8], Forests 2020, 11, x especially in overhead microsprinkler irrigation, a commonly used irrigation system for container
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
