Abstract
Changes in the distribution of annual rainfall totals, together with the increase in temperature over the last 40 years, are causing more frequent periods of drought, and plants are more often exposed to water stress. The aim of this study was to monitor the effect of different water regimes (irrigated and non-irrigated) of individuals of walnut tree (Juglans regia L.) in a private orchard located in the West of Slovakia. Our research was focused on dendrometric and sap flow measurements in the period from 28 March to 2 June 2019. The results showed differences in the sap flow of walnut trees during the budbreak period: when trees were irrigated, sap flow in the diurnal cycle was around 130 g·h−1 (20.48%), higher than in the non-irrigated treatment. Dendrometric differences between the irrigated and non-irrigated treatments were not significant. The sap flow data in the flowering period of the irrigated variant were slightly higher at 150 g·h−1 (35.62%) than non-irrigated. Dendrometric differences were more significant when the difference between the variants was more than 1.5 mm. Continuation of this research and analysis of the data obtained in the coming years will allow us to evaluate the effects of the environment on fruit trees in the long term.
Highlights
Climate change affects all sectors of human activities, including agriculture [1].Brázdil et al [2] expect an increase in the air temperature in Central Europe of 1.2–1.5 ◦ C by 2050 and 3.3 ◦ C by 2100
The aim of this study was to monitor the effect of weather changes on the water regime of walnut tree (Juglans regia L.) in an orchard located in southwestern Slovakia by the heat balance method using non-invasive surface sensors to monitor sap flow
We focused on the budbreaking and flowering stages of walnut tree that are prone to water shortage—the budbreak phase from 28 March to 25 April 2019 and the flowering phase from 1 May to 2 June 2019
Summary
Climate change affects all sectors of human activities, including agriculture [1].Brázdil et al [2] expect an increase in the air temperature in Central Europe of 1.2–1.5 ◦ C by 2050 and 3.3 ◦ C by 2100. As part of climate change, it is expected that the precipitation regime will change, and agricultural crops will be exposed to various forms of biotic and abiotic stress in the coming years [3,4]. Changes in the distribution of annual rainfall totals, together with the increase in temperature over the last 40 years, are causing more and longer periods of drought [5,6,7], and plants are more often exposed to water stress. Walnut is a worldwide cultivated hardwood fruit species. The production of walnuts in 2019/2020 was approximately 2.1 million metric tons [8]. Walnut is a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and nutrition that can substitute animal protein source [9]
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