The effect of mild water stress on vegetative growth in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and Pyrus betulaefolia Bunge : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Horticultural Science at Massey University
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Date
1991
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Massey University
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Abstract
The effects of mild water stress and physical root restriction on leaf
parameters and assimilate partitioning have been studied in order to understand and
refine orchard management techniques which utilise both of the above stress elements
(e.g. regulated deficit irrigation (RDI)).
Initially, a system for applying a controlled level of water stress was
developed and plant responses within this system defined. The system involved using
aeroponic tanks with water stress generated by cycling the misting pumps on and off
(intermittent misting). Similar systems have been used by other workers to stimulate
hormonal changes but no work has been reported detailing vegetative growth
responses. The intermittent misting technique was compared to polyethylene glycol
(PEG) generated water stress, using tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Virosa
Fl) as a model plant.
Water stress studies were then carried out on
Pyrus betulaefolia (an important root-stock for the asian pear (nashi) fruit crop (Pyrus
serotina)) using intermittent misting. These results were compared to those from a
root restriction trial involving P. betulaefolia in a circulating hydroponic system.
The performance of polyethylene glycol in the aeroponic system appeared to
be better than in the various hydroponic systems which have been reported.
Polyethylene glycol 4000 gave the best results (from PEG 1000, 4000 and 6000), in
terms of in minimum level of phytotoxicity, up to a total nutrient solution water
potential ('Pw) of around -6 bar.
Under an intermittent misting regime, tomato plants were subjected to a
range of misting pump off-times up to 1.55 hours, with a constant on-time of 1 minute
(to saturate the root system). It was found that important plant parameters could be
related in a negative logarithmic fashion to misting pump off-time (e.g. leaf Ww, p lant
part dry weights, allometric k value, net photosynthetic ยท rate and stomatal
conductance). For P. betulaefolia trees, exposed to misting pump off-times of up to
two hours, plant parameters were also related to the negative logarithm of the misting
pump off-time. This was despite the fact that the tomato seedlings grew approximately
exponentially while P. betulaefolia plants grew in a more linear fashion. Hence it was
concluded that intermittent misting was an ideal method for generating a controlled
water stress (under which plant responses could be predicted) in both pure and applied
experimental work.
Under physical root restriction (with water stress minimized), no significant
differences were found in several important parameters, including net photosynthetic
rate. Also, in contrast to the water stress response, assimilate partitioning to the shoot
system increased (increase in the allometric k value) . The relative increase in
partitioning was greatest in the stem component, this being the plant part most severely
affected by water stress.-
Under both water stress and physical root restriction the allometric k value
appeared to change rapidly, following application of the treatment, and then remain
constant. This constancy was tested by using a previously unutilized plot involving the
shoot/root ratio versus time linearized plant dry weight.
The results of pl ant responses to both water stress and physical root
restriction are discussed in relation to vegetative growth control measures in frui t crops
such as RDI. Consideration is also given to the overall mechanisms behind observed
growth responses under the two stress regimes.
Description
Irregular pagination: missing pp. 206, 221
Keywords
Plant-water relationship, Tomatoes, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., Pears, Pyrus betulaefolia Bunge, Water stress