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A Rainout Shelter Installation for Studying Drought Stress 1
Author(s) -
Arkin G. F.,
Ritchie J. T.,
Thompson M.,
Chaison R.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1976.00021962006800020060x
Subject(s) - environmental science , tillage , sowing , hydrology (agriculture) , growing season , water table , agronomy , engineering , geotechnical engineering , groundwater , biology
To eliminate the effects of erratic rainfall, which have limited field studies on drought stress, we designed and constructed a relatively large (12.2 ✕ 12.2 m), lightweight shelter that prevents rain from falling on a field plot area. The design overcame previous rainout shelter size limitations and permitted the reduction in the size of the power and drive assemblies needed and thus decreased construction costs. The design of the rainout shelter installation allows lengthening the shelter, controlling the water table, and collecting and storing rain water for irrigating the test area (beneath the shelter). The shelter is large enough to permit operation of planting and tillage equipment. Available soil water in the test area was effectively controlled during the 1974 growing season.