ABSTRACT
Using pressure bomb for irrigation scheduling in peppermint (Mentha piperita L.)

Iván Gallardo A.1, Richard H. Cuenca2, Marshall English2 y Allan Mitchel2
 

Leaf water potential (LWP) measured with a pressure bomb in peppermint under five irrigation treatments was used for irrigation scheduling. The LWP varied during the day in such a way that it was not possible to establish a relationship with water stress, differences in soil moisture content, or different irrigation levels. LWP was influenced by the diurnal weather conditions and represented the current demand more than the cumulative demando The results of this study indicate that mid-day pressure bomb measurements of LWP cannot be used in irrigation scheduling. Predawn measurements of LWP were stable, well and had a good correlation with the soil moisture content, and therefore may be useful in irrigation scheduling.

Keywords: leaf water potential, irrigation, pressure bombo
1 Centro Regional de Investigación Ouilamapu (INIA), Casilla 426, Chillán, Chile.
2 Department of Bioresources Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, E.E.U.U.