Evaluation of capacitance probes for optimal irrigation of citrus through soil moisture monitoring in an entisol profile

• Published in: Irrigation science Vol. 19; no. 2; pp. 57 - 64
• Main Authors: Fares, A, Alva, A.K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer Nature B.V 01.01.2000
• Subjects: available water; capacitance; capacitance probes; Citrus paradisi; citrus paradisi x poncirus trifoliata; Citrus sinensis; Environmental effects; Environmental monitoring; Evapotranspiration; Field capacity; Fruit trees; Fruits; Growing season; Irrigation; Irrigation scheduling; Lawns; Leaching; Moisture content; monitoring; performance tests; Poncirus trifoliata; Probes; Quartzipsamments; rhizosphere; Root zone; rooting; rootstocks; sand; Soil moisture; Soil water; soil water content; soil water storage; trees; Water content; Water storage; Water stress; Wilting; Wilting point
• ISSN: 0342-7188; 1432-1319
• DOI: 10.1007/s002710050001

Continuous monitoring of soil moisture content within and below the rooting zone can facilitate optimal irrigation scheduling aimed at minimizing both the effects of water stress on the plants. and also the leaching of water below the root zone. which can have adverse environmental effects. The use of Sentek capacitance probes (EnviroSCAN RT5) in scheduling citrus irrigation was evaluated using 3-year-old Hamlin orange trees [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.] on Swingle citrumelo rootstock [Citrus paradisi Macf. x Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.] grown in a Candler fine sand (hyperthermic uncoated, Typic Quartzipsamments). Available soil moisture calculated according to capacitance probe readings of soil moisture agreed well with that calculated using soil water release curves determined in the laboratory. A utility program was developed to process the data collected by the capacitance probe into a spreadsheet format. Processed data were used to calculate soil water storage within and below the citrus root zone at desired time intervals. Irrigation set points (i.e. full point equivalent to maximum desirable water storage and refill points I and II) were defined based on field capacity determined both in the field and in the laboratory and permanent wilting point. It was possible to maintain the water content in the root zone between the full and refill points I and II during most of the growing season. Although soil water content in the root zone exceeded the full point during periods of high irrigation it drained rapidly within 24-48 h after the end of such irrigation events. Using soil moisture depletion in the root zone during periods of low water application to estimate citrus evapotranspiration (ET). the calculated daily average ET during 10-day period in November was 1.33 mm day-1.