Atmospheric and soil water influences on the plant water balance

✍ Scribed by J.T. Ritchie

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1974
• Weight: 878 KB
• Volume: 14
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0002-1571
• DOI: 10.1016/0002-1571(74)90018-1

✦ Synopsis

Transpiration from plants is usually greater than root absorption during daylight hours, causing plant water deficits to develop. The severity of water deficits is influenced by atmospheric factors and by the status of water in soil where roots are growing. When plants experience a large water deficit for prolonged periods, both growth and yield are reduced.

Experimental evidence indicates that plants can use stored soil water more efficiently if they experience moderate water deficits, causing root systems to absorb water from deeper in the sQil. It is possible that limited irrigation in more dryland areas and less supplemental water use in irrigated areas would promote more efficient use of a limited water supply while maintaining moderately high levels of production.