Effects of irrigation on litterfall,fine root biomass and production in a semideciduous lowland forest in Panama

The effects of irrigation on fine root biomass, root production and litterfall were measured at the community level, in a semideciduous lowland forest in Panama. Biomass of roots less than 2 mm in dia. in the first 10 cm of the soil (measured with soil cores), was higher in irrigated (1.80 Mg ha^-1) than in non-irrigated plots (1.24 Mg ha^-1). During the dry season, productivity of roots (measured with ingrowth cylinders filled with root-free soil), was higher in irrigated (1.6 g m^-2 day^-1) than in control plots (0.3 g m^-2 day^-1). In control plots, root productivity was highly seasonal. Maximum root growth into the root-free soil, occurred during the transitions from dry to wet, and from wet to dry season, possibly as a response to water and/or nutrient pulses. Litterfall was not significantly different between irrigated (3.8 g m^-2 day^-1) and control plots (3.7 g m^-2 day^-1). The results of this study show that root-productivity is limited by the water supply during the dry season, and that water by itself, is not a limiting factor for community-level litter production. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Root distribution and water uptake patterns of maize cultivars field-grown under differential irrigation

Summary Rooting and water uptake patterns were determined for three maize (Zea mays L) varieties field-grown during the 1983/84 dry season under seven irrigation levels on a sandy loam soil. Roots were mainly concentrated in the top 22 cm due to a 40 cm thick compact gravelly layer occurring from about this depth in the profile. There were significant varietal differences, distinguished by root length density (RLD) and length/weight ratio (LAR) distributions at depth and at varying soil moisture regimes. These properties were related to water extraction patterns and grain yields. Yields obtained at adequate soil moisture were 6.9 tha⁻¹ for TZESR-W (var 1), 4.2 t/ha for TZSR-W (var 2) and 3.7t ha⁻¹ for FARZ-7 (var 3). These yeilds were respectively associated with maximum RLD of 2.56, 1.88 and 1.70 cm cm⁻³ and corresponding LWR of 2.64, 1.93 and 1.62 cm mg⁻¹. Average seasonal water uptake was estimated at 4.2, 3.0 and 2.8 mm day⁻¹ for var 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Better performance of var 1 was attributed to the development of a more active and deep rooting system.     

Root growth and water uptake in winter wheat under deficit irrigation

Root growth is critical for crops to use soil water under water-limited conditions. A field study was conducted to investigate the effect of available soil water on root and shoot growth, and root water uptake in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under deficit irrigation in a semi-arid environment. Treatments consisted of rainfed, deficit irrigation at different developmental stages, and adequate irrigation. The rainfed plots had the lowest shoot dry weight because available soil water decreased rapidly from booting to late grain filling. For the deficit-irrigation treatments, crops that received irrigation at jointing and booting had higher shoot dry weight than those that received irrigation at anthesis and middle grain filling. Rapid root growth occurred in both rainfed and irrigated crops from floral initiation to anthesis, and maximum rooting depth occurred by booting. Root length density and dry weight decreased after anthesis. From floral initiation to booting, root length density and growth rate were higher in rainfed than in irrigated crops. However, root length density and growth rate were lower in rainfed than in irrigated crops from booting to anthesis. As a result, the difference in root length density between rainfed and irrigated treatments was small during grain filling. The root growth and water use below 1.4 m were limited by a caliche (45% CaCO₃) layer at about 1.4 m profile. The mean water uptake rate decreased as available soil water decreased. During grain filling, root water uptake was higher from the irrigated crops than from the rainfed. Irrigation from jointing to anthesis increased seasonal evapotranspiration, grain yield, harvest index and water-use efficiency based on yield (WUE), but did not affect water-use efficiency based on aboveground biomass. There was no significant difference in WUE among irrigation treatments except one-irrigation at middle grain filling. Due to a relatively deep root system in rainfed crops, the higher grain yield and WUE in irrigated crops compared to rainfed crops was not a result of rooting depth or root length density, but increased harvest index, and higher water uptake rate during grain filling.     

Root respiration during grain filling in sunflower: The effects of water stress

Instantaneous rates of (soil + root) respiration were measured periodically during grain filling in sunflower crops that were i) irrigated at weekly intervals and ii) subjected to water stress for the last 25 days of the 40-day grain filling period. Daily (soil + root) respiration was calculated using instantaneous respiration rates, an empirically determined temperature response function, and diurnal records of soil temperature. Daily soil respiration was estimated using empirically determined functions linking soil respiration to soil temperature and water content. Between anthesis and maturity, daily root respiration of the irrigated crop dropped by about one half from ca. 1.8 g C m^-2 d^-1, exhibiting a strong association with daily crop gross photosynthesis. Water stress brought about a rapid decrease in root respiration, which fell to about 0.1 g C m^-2 d^-1 at maturity. Root respiration during grain filling was 46 and 30 g C m^-2 for irrigated and stressed crops, respectively.     

Root growth and water uptake during water deficit and recovering in wheat

Root growth and soil water content were measured in a field experiment with wheat subjected to two periods of water deficit. The first period was induced early in the season between the early vegetative stage (22 DAS) and late terminal spikelet (50 DAS), the second period at mid-season between terminal spikelet (42 DAS) and anthesis (74 DAS). Total root growth was reduced under water deficit by a reduction in the top 30 cm, while the root system continued to grow in the deeper soil profile between 30 and 60 cm. Shortly after rewatering, the growth pattern reverted to fastest root growth rates in the shallow soil layers. In relative terms, the total root system increased in relation to the above ground dry matter under water shortage. The early-, the mid-season water deficit treatments, and the control treatment had total root length of 27.4, 19.4 and 30.6 km m^-2, respectively, about 2 wk before maturity. Evapotranspiration declined under water deficit, but water uptake in deeper layers increased. Water uptake per unit root length was reduced with water deficit and was still low shortly after rewatering. Remarkable was the increase in water uptake at 2–3 weeks after rewatering, both deficit treatments exceeded the control by almost 100%. This increase in water uptake followed the burst of new root growth in the upper regions of the soil. However, water uptake rates subsequently declined towards maturity, being between 0.15 L km^-1 d^-1 and 0.17 L km^-1 d^-1 for the early and mid-season water deficit treatments, slightly higher than the control, 0.12 L km^-1 d^-1. The results showed that the crop subjected to early water deficit could compensate for some of the reductions in root growth during subsequent rewatering, but the impact of the mid-season water deficit treatment was more severe and permanent.     

Effect of remained stem height on yield,quality of Inula helenium I. and on soil water content

To explore the reason causing low yield, poor quality of Inula helenium I., this paper investigated the influence of different remained stem heights on the yield, quality and water consumption of Inula helenium I. in Gannan plateau area using field single factor randomized block method. Research results showed that Inula helenium I. which was cut before blooming period in the last ten-day of July with remained stem height of 25?cm had the lowest water consumption, the best underground root traits (including main root length, root diameter, and root dry weight per plant), and the highest yield which was higher that control group by 18.73% (P?<?.01) Moreover, Inula helenium I. with remained stem height of 25?cm had the lowest ash content while the highest alantolactone content, therefore its quality was the best. The water use efficiency (WUE) of Inula helenium I. with remained stem height of 35?cm at September was the highest (1.12?kg?h?m^?2?mm^?1). However, in terms of biological yield WUE and economic yield WUE, Inula helenium I. with remained stem height of 15?cm was the highest. Therefore, it can be concluded that remained stem height from 15 to 25?cm is an ideal solution, which can not only save water, but also improve yield and quality of Inula helenium I.     

Uptake of water by lateral roots of small trees in an Amazonian Tropical Forest

A pulse chase technique was used to determine depth and breath of plant water uptake in an Amazonian evergreen forest. Two 2×2 m² plots were irrigated with deuterated water. The deuterium pulse, measured as D values of soil and plant sap water, was followed in the soil water profile and in stem water of small trees inside and up to 12 m away from the irrigated plots. The deuterium pulse percolation rate was measured to be approximately 0.25 m/month and similar to a previous study in central Amazon. There was little horizontal movement of label through the soil profile; allowing us to conclude that any evidence of label in plants away from the irrigation plots implies the presence of their roots inside the irrigation plots. The bulk of label uptake occurred in plants inside the irrigation plots. However, there were a few individuals as far as 10 m away picking up the label from the irrigation plots. This labeling pattern leads to the conclusion that small trees may have a core of water absorbing roots close to their main trunk, with some roots meandering far from their main trunk.     

Comparison of APRI and Hydrus-2D models to simulate soil water dynamics in a vineyard under alternate partial root zone drip irrigation

Alternate partial root zone irrigation (APRI) is a new water-saving irrigation technique. It can reduce irrigation water and transpiration without reduction in crop yield, thus increase water and nutrient use efficiency. Understanding of soil moisture distribution and dynamic under the alternate partial root zone drip irrigation (APDI) can help to develop the efficient irrigation schemes. In this paper, a two-dimensional (2D) root water uptake model was proposed based on soil water dynamic and root distribution of grape vine, and a function of soil evaporation related to soil water content was defined under the APDI. Then the soil water dynamic model of APDI (APRI-model) was developed based on the 2D root water uptake model and soil evaporation function combined with average measured soil moisture content at 0–10 cm soil layer. Soil water dynamic in APDI was respectively simulated by Hydrus-2D model and APRI-model. The simulated soil water contents by two models were compared with the measured value. The results showed that the values of root-mean-square-error (RMSE) range from 0.01 to 0.022 cm³/cm³ for APRI-model, and from 0.012 to 0.031 cm³/cm³ for Hydrus-2D model. The average relative error between the simulated and measured soil water content is about 10% for APRI-model, and from 11% to 29% for Hydrus-2D model, indicating that two models perform well in simulating soil moisture dynamic under the APDI, but the APRI-model is more suitable for modeling the soil water dynamic in the arid region with greater soil evaporation and uneven root distribution.     

Transfer of water from roots into dry soil and the effect on wheat water relations and growth

This investigation was performed to study the effect on plant water relations and growth when some of roots grow into dry soil. Common spring water (Triticum aestivum) plants were grown from seed in soil in 1.2 m long PVC (polyvinyl chloride) tubes. Some of the tubes had a PVC partition along their center so that plants developed a split root system (SPR). Part of the roots grew in fully irrigated soil on one side of the partition while the rest of the roots grew into a very dry (-4.1 MPa) soil on the other side of the partition. Split root plants were compared with plants grown from emergence on stored soil moisture (STOR) and with plants that were fully irrigated as needed (IRR). The experiment was duplicated over two temperature regimes (10°/20°C and 15°/25°C, night/day temperatures) in growth chambers. Data were collected on root dry matter distribution, soil moisture status, midday leaf water potential (LWP), leaf relative water content (RWC) and parameters of plant growth and yield.Some roots were found in the dry side of SPR already at 21 DAE (days after emergence) at a soil depth of 15 to 25 cm. Soil water potential around these roots was -0.7 to -1.0 MPa at midday, as compared with the initial value of -4.1 MPa. Therefore, water apparently flowed from the plant into the dry soil, probably during the night. Despite having most of their roots (around 2/3 of the total) in wet soil, SPR plants developed severe plant water stress, even in comparison with STOR plants. Already at 21 DAE, SPR plants had a LWP of -1.5 to -2.0 MPa, while IRR and STOR had a LWP of -0.5 MPa or higher. As a consequence of their greater plant water stress, SPR as compared with IRR plants were lower in tiller number, ear number, shoot dry matter, root dry matter, total biomass, plant height and grain yield and had more epicuticular wax on their leaves.It was concluded that the exposure of a relatively small part of a plant root system to a dry soil may result in a plant-to-soil water potential gradient which may cause severe plant water stress, leading to reduced plant growth and yield.     

宽窄行栽植模式下三倍体毛白杨根系分布特征及其与根系吸水的关系

采用剖面法对宽窄行栽植模式下三倍体毛白杨(triploid Populus tomentosa)的根系分布特征进行了研究;采用管式TDR系统对土壤剖面含水率变化动态进行了连续观测,并据此计算林木根系吸水速率,以探讨土壤含水率、根系分布和根系吸水分布之间的相关关系。研究结果表明:毛白杨的总平均根长密度在林带两侧和不同径向距离处非常接近(P>0.05);但在不同土层间变化很大(P<0.01),其中0-20和60-150 cm土层为根系主要分布区域,其根系所占比例共达86%;不同径阶间的根长密度差异显著(P<0.01),且其比例关系会随空间位置的改变而发生变化。不同栽植方位下,林带东侧毛白杨根系分布的浅层化程度高于西侧,且在径向240-280 cm内其0-0.5 mm的极细根显著多于西侧(P<0.05)。因此,宽窄行栽植模式下,深度和径阶是毛白杨根系分布的主要影响因子,而栽植方位会对其形态构型产生影响。毛白杨根系吸水模式受细根分布的影响,但会随土壤剖面水分有效性分布的变化而变化:当表土层水分有效性增加时,根系吸水主要集中在表土层;当表土层水分有效性降低时,深层土壤根系的吸水贡献率会逐渐增加;当土壤剖面水分条件异质性较高时,根系吸水主要集中在根系密度与水分有效性均较高的区域;当土壤剖面水分分布均匀且不存在水分胁迫时,根系吸水分布与细根分布最为一致。     

Influence of root density on the critical soil water potential

Estimation of root water uptake in crops is important for making many other agricultural predictions. This estimation often involves two assumptions: (1) that a critical soil water potential exists which is constant for a given combination of soil and crop and which does not depend on root length density, and (2) that the local root water uptake at given soil water potential is proportional to root length density. Recent results of both mathematical modeling and computer tomography show that these assumptions may not be valid when the soil water potential is averaged over a volume of soil containing roots. We tested these assumptions for plants with distinctly different root systems. Root water uptake rates and the critical soil water potential values were determined in several adjacent soil layers for horse bean (Vicia faba) and oat (Avena sativa) grown in lysimeters, and for field-grown cotton (Gossypium L.), maize (Zea mays) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) crops. Root water uptake was calculated from the water balance of each layer in lysimeters. Water uptake rate was proportional to root length density at high soil water potentials, for both horse bean and oat plants, but root water uptake did not depend on root density for horse bean at potentials lower than −25 kPa. We observed a linear dependency of a critical soil water potential on the logarithm of root length density for all plants studied. Soil texture modified the critical water potential values, but not the linearity of the relationship. B E Clothier Section editor     

Partitioning of carbon an SO2-sulfur in a native grassland

Summary The seasonal assimilation and within-plant partitioning of ¹⁴CO₂-carbon and ³⁵SO₂-sulfur in field plots of mixed-grass prairie was investigated, as was the dry deposition of ³⁵SO₂ onto surfaces of dead leaves, litter, and soil, and possible effects of continuous low-level SO₂ fumigation on these processes. The proportion of total net-assimilated carbon found below-ground was 45% in May, 51% in July, and 17% in September. As the season progressed, greater proportions of assimilate were partitioned to 5–20 cm depths and less to the 0–5 cm depth. Rhizomes and crowns received greater proportions in late season. Significant fractions of total ³⁴SO₂-deposited sulfur were recovered on dead leaf surfaces as well as litter and soil, suggesting estimates of SO₂ removal based on stomatal resistance alone are inadequate. Only 4% to 7% of total deposited sulfur was translocated belowground, with most going to 0–5 cm roots. In July much greater proportions of the total translocated SO₂-sulfur were found in deeper depths than in September. On SO₂-fumigated plots roots had lower total sulfur concentrations than controls. Furthermore, while on control plots total sulfur in roots at 5–20 cm increased from May to July and decreased from July to September, on fumigated plots there was a decrease followed by an increase suggesting that SO₂ uptake by shoots interferes with the normal pattern of root sulfur uptake and redistribution within the plant. Continuous SO₂ fumigation also seemed to stimulate root growth in July, possibly through a stimulation of photosynthesis.     

Water relations and root activities of Buchloe dactyloides and Zoysia japonica in response to localized soil drying

Effects of localized soil drought stress on water relations, root growth, and nutrient uptake were examined in drought tolerant ‘Prairie’ buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] and sensitive ‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.). Grasses were grown in small rhizotrons in a greenhouse and subjected to three soil moisture regimes: (1) watering the entire 80-cm soil profile (well-watered control); (2) drying 0–40 cm soil and watering the lower 40 cm (partially dried); (3) and drying the entire soil profile (fully dried). Drying the 0–40 cm soil for 28 days had no effect on leaf water potential (Ψ _leaf ) in Prairie buffalograss compared to the well-watered control but reduced that in Meyer zoysiagrass. Root elongation rate was greater for Prairie buffalograss than Meyer zoysiagrass under well-watered or fully dried conditions. Rooting depth increased with surface soil drying; with Prairie buffalograss having a larger proportion of roots in the lower 40 cm than Meyer zoysiagrass. The higher rates of water uptake in the deeper soil profile in the partially dried compared to the well-watered treatment and by Prairie buffalograss compared to Meyer zoysiagrass could be due to differences in root distribution. Root ¹⁵N uptake for Prairie buffalograss was higher in 0–20 cm drying soil in the partially dried treatment than in the fully dried treatment. Diurnal fluctuations in soil water content in the upper 20 cm of soil when the lower 40 cm were well-watered indicated water efflux from the deeper roots to the drying surface soil. This could help sustain root growth, maintain nutrient uptake in the upper drying soil layer, and prolong turfgrass growth under localized drying conditions, especially for the deep-rooted Prairie buffalograss. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Soil and plant resistances to water uptake byVicia faba L.

Summary The hydraulic resistivity ofVicia faba L. roots grown in soil was estimated from steady state measurements of transpiration rate and leaf and soil water potentials. Root and stem axial resistivities, estimated from xylem vessel radii, were negligible. Root radial resistivity was estimated to be 1.3×10¹² sm⁻¹. This root radial resistivity value was used to estimate, root resistance to water uptake for a field crop ofVicia faba. Previously published results were used for root distribution and soil water contents at the drained upper limit (DUL) and the lower limit (LL) of extractable soil water. Soil resistance to water uptake was estimated from single root theory using the steady rate solution. At the DUL, root resistance was about 10⁵ times greater than soil resistance. At the LL, soil resistance exceeded root resistance for depths less than 0.3 m, but for depths greater than this soil resistance was smaller than root resistance. Estimates of possible uptake rates at given leaf water potentials indicated that overall soil resistance had a negligible influence upon uptake, even at the LL. The reliability of this result is examined in detail. It is concluded that over the complete range of extractable soil water contents soil resistanceper se would not have limited water use by this crop. This conclusion may also be valid for a wide range of soil and crop combinations.     

Effect of root volume and nitrate solution concentration on growth,fruit yield,and temporal N and water uptake rates by apple trees

Meager information is available on the specific effects of root volume (V) and N concentration in the water (C_N) on uptake rates of water and N by apple trees, as related to fruit yield and tree growth. To investigate this relationship, Golden Delicious/Hashabi trees were grown for 5 years in containers of 200, 50 and 101. Trees in the 200–1 containers were irrigated with a nutrient solution containing 10.7±1.3, 7.1±1.5 or 2.5±1.0 mM NO₃. Trees in the remaining two container-volume treatments were uniformly supplied with a solution of 7.1±1.5 mM NO₃. Elevated C_N had no effect on the rate of water uptake, but increased the rate of N absorption by the trees from 2.4 to 4.8 g N tree⁻¹ day⁻¹ during July. The stimulated N uptake rate stemmed from enhanced fluxes of N uptake by the roots. C_N had a negligible effect on root weight and root permeability to NO₃ and water. The elevated N uptake rate did not result in greater fruit yield and growth, or greater N content in tree organs, indicating considerable release of N from living and decaying roots to the growth medium. Reducing the container volume decreased yield, total dry matter production and N and water uptake rates, but increased root permeability to NO₃ and water, and total soluble solids in fruits. The all-season average C_N in the irrigation solution above which N concentration in the transpiration stream was lower than the inflowing C_N was 4.2 mM NO₃.     

Tracer studies on the balance and chemical distribution of applied nitrogen under different moisture regimes using lysimeter

Summary Tracer studies were made on balance and chemical distribution of added fertilizer under field conditions using a modified type of lysimeter at different moisture regimes. A modified chemical method was also used for the determination of different forms of organic N.An average of 25 per cent of the isotope enriched nitrogen applied to soil could not be accounted for at the end of the 3 years of experiment. The amount of residual added N in soil was around 33 per cent of which 27 per cent was in 0–20 cm layers and only 6 per cent was found in 20–50 cm layers. The average crop recoveries were around 43 per cent. Only 0.18 per cent of NO₃–N was leached from the irrigated plots.The alkali-stable N (amino acid-N) fraction was higher for irrigated (19 per cent) than nonirrigated plots (15 per cent). There were no difference in the amounts of fixed NH₄, non-hydrolyzed and alkali-labile N fractions for irrigated and non-irrigated plots. Only an average of 1.5 per cent of total fertilizer N was found as fixed NH₄–N form but the total fixed NH₄–N was higher (10–13 per cent) than that reported by other workers for surface soil layers. The sum of different soil-nitrogen fractions were always higher than the total nitrogen in soil.     

Nitrogen availability and uptake by grassland in mesocosms at two water levels and two water qualities

We studied the effect of water table (-5 or -30 cm) and water type (rain- or groundwater) on the above- and below-ground phytomass production, species composition and nitrogen uptake of grassland.Nitrogen mineralization, nitrification, methane production, redox potential and pH at different depths in the profile were measured and used to monitor gradual changes in variables influencing phytomass production.The rise in the water level lowered the nitrogen uptake in the above-ground phytomass from 14.1 to 11.4 g N per m², but the DM production did not decrease and varied from 566 to 690 g per m². The total root mass increased from 82 to 363 g DM per m², with the proportion in the 5 to 10 cm layer increasing the most from 13 to 24%.The high water level lowered the potential N mineralization in the upper 5 cm of the soil from 16.1 to 4.3 g N per m² and in the deeper 5 to 30 cm layer from 12.6 to 9.4 g N per m² respectively, so the importance of the deeper layer as a source of N increased. The total amount of mineral N that accumulated in the 40 cm deep soil cores decreased from 31.3 to 15.5 g N per m². The above-ground vegetation took up 71 to 76% of this amount in the high water level treatment and only 37 to 57% under drier conditions.Redox potential and methane production indicated anaerobic conditions below 5 cm in both level treatments and in the top 5 cm of the high water level treatment. But some nitrification was measured there also, thus aerobic and anaerobic conditions occurred together. The low N mineralization was attributed to low soil respiration.Raising the water level brought about an increase in the above ground biomass of Glyceria fluitans and an increase in root mass, especially deeper in the soil. Both are responsible for the relatively greater fraction of nitrogen that was taken up from the soil, although less N was available. The nitrification indicates that oxygen is transported by the root system to soil microsites and partly compensates for the anaerobic conditions caused by water saturation.The calcareous groundwater raised the pH in the upper soil layer from 5.3 to 5.8 but no effect on N mineralization was measured.     

Water uptake efficiency and above- and belowground biomass development of sweet sorghum and maize under different water regimes

Background and aims

Lately sweet sorghum (S) has attracted great interest as an alternative feedstock for biofuel production due to its high yielding potential and better adaptation to drought than maize (M). However, little is known about the response of newly developed sweet sorghum genotypes to water deficits, especially at the root level and its water uptake patterns. The objective of this study was to compare the water uptake capacity, growth and developmental characteristics at the root and canopy levels of a sweet sorghum hybrid (Sorghum bicolor cv. Sucro 506) with those of maize (Zea mays cv. PR32F73) at two water regimes.

Methods

The trial was setup in a total of 20 rhizotrons (1?m³), where calibrated soil moisture probes were installed for monitoring and adjusting the soil moisture content to 25% (well-watered, W) and 12% (drought stress, D).

Results

DS was able to sustain its physiological activity close to that of WS plants, while maize was not. The biomass production potential of DS was reduced about 38%, while in maize the reduction was 47%. The water use efficiency (WUE), however, was increased by 20% in sweet sorghum and reduced in 5% in maize. Moreover, in contrast to maize the root length density and water uptake capacity of DS was enhanced. Root water uptake efficiency in DM was sustained close to its potential, but not in sweet sorghum.

Conclusions

In summary, the better adaptation to drought of sweet sorghum is explained by increased WUE, sustained physiological activity and enlarged root system. It is also associated with a reduced water uptake efficiency compared to its control but maintained compared to maize.     

Silicon accumulation and water uptake by wheat

Silicon (Si) content in cereal plants and soil-Si solubility may be used to estimate transpiration, assuming passive Si uptake. The hypothesis for passive-Si uptake by the transpiration stream was tested in wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Stephens) grown on the irrigated Portneuf silt loam soil (Durixerollic calciorthid) near Twin Falls, Idaho. Treatments consisted of 5 levels of plant-available soil water ranging from 244 to 776 mm provided primarily by a line-source sprinkler irrigation system. Evapotranspiration was determined by the water-balance method and water uptake was calculated from evapotranspiration, shading, and duration of wet-surface soil. Water extraction occurred from the 0 to 150-cm zone in which equilibrium Si solubility (20°C) was 15 mg Si L^–1 in the A_p and B_k (0–58 cm depth) and 23 mg Si L^–1 in the B_kq (58–165 cm depth).At plant maturity, total Si uptake ranged from 10 to 32 g m^–2, above-ground dry matter from 1200 to 2100 g m^–2 and transpiration from 227 to 546 kg m^–2. Silicon uptake was correlated with transpiration (Si_up=–07+06T, r²=0.85) and dry matter yield with evapotranspiration (Y=119+303ET, r²=0.96). Actual Si uptake was 2.4 to 4.7 times that accounted for by passive uptake, supporting designation of wheat as a Si accumulator. The ratio of Si uptake to water uptake increased with soil moisture. The confirmation of active Si uptake precludes using Si uptake to estimate water use by wheat.     

Effects of an increase in summer precipitation on leaf, soil, and ecosystem fluxes of CO2 and H2O in a sotol grassland in Big Bend National Park, Texas

Global climate models predict that in the next century precipitation in desert regions of the USA will increase, which is anticipated to affect biosphere/atmosphere exchanges of both CO₂ and H₂O. In a sotol grassland ecosystem in the Chihuahuan Desert at Big Bend National Park, we measured the response of leaf-level fluxes of CO₂ and H₂O 1 day before and up to 7 days after three supplemental precipitation pulses in the summer (June, July, and August 2004). In addition, the responses of leaf, soil, and ecosystem fluxes of CO₂ and H₂O to these precipitation pulses were also evaluated in September, 1 month after the final seasonal supplemental watering event. We found that plant carbon fixation responded positively to supplemental precipitation throughout the summer. Both shrubs and grasses in watered plots had increased rates of photosynthesis following pulses in June and July. In September, only grasses in watered plots had higher rates of photosynthesis than plants in the control plots. Soil respiration decreased in supplementally watered plots at the end of the summer. Due to these increased rates of photosynthesis in grasses and decreased rates of daytime soil respiration, watered ecosystems were a sink for carbon in September, assimilating on average 31 mmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ ground area day⁻¹. As a result of a 25% increase in summer precipitation, watered plots fixed eightfold more CO₂ during a 24-h period than control plots. In June and July, there were greater rates of transpiration for both grasses and shrubs in the watered plots. In September, similar rates of transpiration and soil water evaporation led to no observed treatment differences in ecosystem evapotranspiration, even though grasses transpired significantly more than shrubs. In summary, greater amounts of summer precipitation may lead to short-term increased carbon uptake by this sotol grassland ecosystem.