Abstract
Research on the water requirements of poplars in the nursery irrigated by sprinklers.
Abstract
Irrigation trials were carried out in two nurseries of a poplar clone in Italy, using the 'Irrisor' equipment made by Fiat. The soil at (a) Casale Monferrato was sandy, with a field moisture capacity of 24.5% and a wilting point at 3.5% of dry wt.; at (b) Orbassano the soil was also sandy with a field capacity of 20.5% and wilting point at 3.0% of dry wt. At (a) the soil profile was 50 cm deep, and at (b) over 1 m deep. Plant and sprinkler spacing were wider at (b) than (a), and water was applied at rates from 1.5 to 6 litres/h. At (a), irrigation significantly increased diameter and height growth and growth of the root system. At (b), irrigation had no significant effect on growth.
