Microtensiometers Accurately Measure Stem Water Potential in Woody Perennials
Stem water potential (Ψ<sub>stem</sub>) is considered to be the standard measure of plant water status. However, it is measured with the pressure chamber (PC), an equipment that can neither provide continuous information nor be automated, limiting its use. Recent developments of microten...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-12-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/12/2780 |
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| author | Victor Blanco Lee Kalcsits |
| author_facet | Victor Blanco Lee Kalcsits |
| author_sort | Victor Blanco |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Stem water potential (Ψ<sub>stem</sub>) is considered to be the standard measure of plant water status. However, it is measured with the pressure chamber (PC), an equipment that can neither provide continuous information nor be automated, limiting its use. Recent developments of microtensiometers (MT; FloraPulse sensors), which can continuously measure water tension in woody tissue of the trunk of the tree, can potentially highlight the dynamic nature of plant water relations. Thus, this study aimed to validate and assess the usefulness of the MT by comparing the Ψ<sub>stem</sub> provided by MT with those same measurements from the PC. Here, two irrigation treatments (a control and a deficit treatment) were applied in a pear (<i>Pyrus communis</i> L.) orchard in Washington State (USA) to capture the full range of water potentials in this environment. Discrete measurements of leaf gas exchange, canopy temperature and Ψ<sub>stem</sub> measured with PC and MT were made every two hours for four days from dawn to sunset. There were strong linear relationships between the Ψ<sub>stem</sub>-MT and Ψ<sub>stem</sub>-PC (R<sup>2</sup> > 0.8) and with vapor pressure deficit (R<sup>2</sup> > 0.7). However, Ψ<sub>stem</sub>-MT was more variable and lower than Ψ<sub>stem</sub>-PC when Ψ<sub>stem</sub>-MT was below −1.5 MPa, especially during the evening. Minimum Ψ<sub>stem</sub>-MT occurred later in the afternoon compared to Ψ<sub>stem</sub>-PC. Ψ<sub>stem</sub> showed similar sensitivity and coefficients of variation for both PC and MT acquired data. Overall, the promising results achieved indicated the potential for MT to be used to continuously assess tree water status. |
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fea906e65af44fa8b49cda9263476f47 |
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| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:17:05Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-fea906e65af44fa8b49cda9263476f472023-11-23T10:13:07ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472021-12-011012278010.3390/plants10122780Microtensiometers Accurately Measure Stem Water Potential in Woody PerennialsVictor Blanco0Lee Kalcsits1Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, Wenatchee, WA 98801, USATree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, Wenatchee, WA 98801, USAStem water potential (Ψ<sub>stem</sub>) is considered to be the standard measure of plant water status. However, it is measured with the pressure chamber (PC), an equipment that can neither provide continuous information nor be automated, limiting its use. Recent developments of microtensiometers (MT; FloraPulse sensors), which can continuously measure water tension in woody tissue of the trunk of the tree, can potentially highlight the dynamic nature of plant water relations. Thus, this study aimed to validate and assess the usefulness of the MT by comparing the Ψ<sub>stem</sub> provided by MT with those same measurements from the PC. Here, two irrigation treatments (a control and a deficit treatment) were applied in a pear (<i>Pyrus communis</i> L.) orchard in Washington State (USA) to capture the full range of water potentials in this environment. Discrete measurements of leaf gas exchange, canopy temperature and Ψ<sub>stem</sub> measured with PC and MT were made every two hours for four days from dawn to sunset. There were strong linear relationships between the Ψ<sub>stem</sub>-MT and Ψ<sub>stem</sub>-PC (R<sup>2</sup> > 0.8) and with vapor pressure deficit (R<sup>2</sup> > 0.7). However, Ψ<sub>stem</sub>-MT was more variable and lower than Ψ<sub>stem</sub>-PC when Ψ<sub>stem</sub>-MT was below −1.5 MPa, especially during the evening. Minimum Ψ<sub>stem</sub>-MT occurred later in the afternoon compared to Ψ<sub>stem</sub>-PC. Ψ<sub>stem</sub> showed similar sensitivity and coefficients of variation for both PC and MT acquired data. Overall, the promising results achieved indicated the potential for MT to be used to continuously assess tree water status.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/12/2780gas exchangeirrigation schedulingpearprecision agriculturepressure chambersensors |
| spellingShingle | Victor Blanco Lee Kalcsits Microtensiometers Accurately Measure Stem Water Potential in Woody Perennials Plants gas exchange irrigation scheduling pear precision agriculture pressure chamber sensors |
| title | Microtensiometers Accurately Measure Stem Water Potential in Woody Perennials |
| title_full | Microtensiometers Accurately Measure Stem Water Potential in Woody Perennials |
| title_fullStr | Microtensiometers Accurately Measure Stem Water Potential in Woody Perennials |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microtensiometers Accurately Measure Stem Water Potential in Woody Perennials |
| title_short | Microtensiometers Accurately Measure Stem Water Potential in Woody Perennials |
| title_sort | microtensiometers accurately measure stem water potential in woody perennials |
| topic | gas exchange irrigation scheduling pear precision agriculture pressure chamber sensors |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/12/2780 |
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