Effect of irrigation suspension on the growth, water state and production of spinach (Spinacia olerácea L.) plants

Abstract

Spinach is susceptible to drought conditions, and, because of climate change, it is necessary to optimize water application to crops. Therefore, a test was carried out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments consisting of the following irrigation suspension durations: T1: 0 d, T2: 4 d, T3: 7 d and T4: 10, with six replicates for a total of 24 experiment units (EU). Each EU consisted of 6 plants, for a total of 120 plants that were transplanted to 2 L pots with a mixture of peat and soil (2:1). The upper part of the substrate was maintained with a higher moisture content in the treatment without irrigation suspension and in the one with irrigation suspended for 4 d. An inversely proportional relationship was observed between the moisture content and the leaf water potential. The treatment without irrigation suspension recorded the highest leaf water potential value during the measurement period. There were no significant differences between the chlorophyll content in the SPAD units or for the leaf area, stomatal conductance and dry mass. The fresh mass presented significant differences and had the highest value in the treatment without suspension of irrigation.

Keywords

• stomatal conductance
• relative water content
• water potential
• SPAD
• leaf area.