On the irrigation requirements of cottonwood (Populus fremontii and Populus deltoides var. wislizenii) and willow (Salix gooddingii) grown in a desert environment

Hartwell, S.; Morino, K.; Nagler, P. L.; Glenn, E. P.

Abstract:

Native tree plots have been established in river irrigation districts in the western U.S. to provide habitat for threatened and endangered birds. Information is needed on the effective irrigation requirements of the target species. Cottonwood (Populus spp.) and willow (Salix gooddingii) trees were grown for seven years in an outdoor plot in a desert environment in Tucson, Arizona. Plants were allowed to achieve a nearly complete canopy cover over the first four years, then were subjected to three daily summer irrigation schedules of 6.20??mm??d^-1; 8.26??mm??d^-1 and 15.7??mm??d^-1. The lowest irrigation rate was sufficient to maintain growth and high leaf area index for cottonwoods over three years, while willows suffered considerable die-back on this rate in years six and seven. These irrigation rates were applied April 15-September 15, but only 0.88??mm??d^-1 was applied during the dormant period of the year. Expressed as a fraction of reference crop evapotranspiration (ET_o), recommended annual water applications plus precipitation (and including some deep drainage) were 0.83 ET_o for cottonwood and 1.01 ET_o for willow. Current practices tend to over-irrigate restoration plots, and this study can provide guidelines for more efficient water use. ?? 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

Genre:

Article

ProdID:

70037440

Citation Author:

Hartwell, S.; Morino, K.; Nagler, P. L.; Glenn, E. P.

Citation Contributing Office:

Citation Datum:

Citation Day:

Citation Edition:

Citation Editor:

Citation End Page:

674

Citation Issue:

Citation Keywords:

Citation Language:

English

Citation Larger Work Title:

Journal of Arid Environments

Citation LatN:

Citation LatS:

Citation LonE:

Citation LonW:

Citation Month:

Citation No Pagination:

Citation Number Of Pages:

Citation Online Only Flag:

Citation Phsyical Description:

Citation Projection:

Citation Public Comments:

Citation Publisher:

Citation Series:

Citation Series Code:

Citation Series Number:

Citation Search Results Text:

On the irrigation requirements of cottonwood (Populus fremontii and Populus deltoides var. wislizenii) and willow (Salix gooddingii) grown in a desert environment; 2010; Article; Journal; Journal of Arid Environments; Hartwell, S.; Morino, K.; Nagler, P. L.; Glenn, E. P.