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Influence of irrigation on dormancy in two species of the Egyptian desert With 3 Figures and 2 Tables
Author(s) -
Elhaak M. A.,
ElShourbagy M. N.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
feddes repertorium
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.24
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 1522-239X
pISSN - 0014-8962
DOI - 10.1002/fedr.19931040118
Subject(s) - shrub , transpiration , irrigation , revegetation , wet season , agronomy , dry season , biology , dormancy , environmental science , liana , botany , ecology , photosynthesis , ecological succession , germination
The shrub species Thymelaea hirsuta and the subshrub species Echiochilon fruticosum were irrigated during their dormant period in their natural habitat in the northern desert of Egypt with 0, 70, 140 and 210 mm water levels. Irrigation decreased the transpiration rates of the two species, except with the 210 mm level which increased transpiration rate of E. fruticosum. Although relative water content (RWC) was increased it did not reach the value of the species during the rainy season. Irrigation activated dry matter accumulation, that exceeded the corresponding values during the active vegetative period, at the rainy season. Also, irrigation had broken dormancy of the two species: revegetation was observed and water use efficiency (WUE) was improved. Irrigation with 120 mm level could be more than the needs of E. fruticosum but not for T. hirsuta .