The effect of deficit irrigation imposed in July-August period on shoot growth and flower formation in container grown rhododendron in commercial nursery were assessed. Plants were exposed to three irrigation regimes based on potential evapotranspiration rates (100% ET0 - well-watered control plants, 75% ET0 - moderate drought and 50% ET0 - severe drought). The values of evapotranspiration were calculated using the Penman-Monteith model. The degree of drought had significant effect on the plant growth and water status of plants. Severe drought inhibited secondary shoot elongation compared to less stressful regime but did not affect flower formation. ‘Catawbiense Boursault', ‘Nova Zembla' and ‘Pearce's American Beauty' plants exposed to severe drought were shorter, respectively by 39, 45 and 86% than well-irrigated plants and two of the three cultivars ‘Catawbiense Boursault' and ‘Pearce's American Beauty' produced fewer secondary branches (5.9 and 0.3) compared to control plants (9.2 and 1.7, respectively). Moderate drought did not affect plant growth but resulted in flower bud formation in ‘Nova Zembla' and ‘Pearce's American Beauty's cultivars. Estimated water consumption by rhododendrons throughout the whole growing season was reduced by 15% for moderate and 25% for severe drought compared to control, well-watered plants. The results have significant implications ...
In temperate zone, early freeze, particularly if preceded by a period of warm and wet weather, can severely injure many woody plants. The young plants are particularly sensitive to frost, especially those grown in containers. The timing and capacity of cold acclimation are modified by environmental cues. We examined whether regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) imposed in the fall affects cold acclimation of containerized Lawson cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)‘Columnaris' and Knaphill-Exbury azalea (Rhododendron) ‘Oxydol'. Three-year-old plants were grown in containers placed in the open field and were cultivated according to standard nursery practice. In the end of growing season (from 5th October to 2nd November 2015, half of the plants were expose to moderated water stress by ceasing irrigation and protecting them from the rain (RDI treatment). The volumetric water content of the growing medium gradually decreases in this time from 0.45 to 0.2 m3/m3. Irrigation of the second part of the plants were continued in October and water content was maintained at 0.45 m3/m3 (control treatment). Cold hardiness of stem tissues was assessed two times (2nd November and 7th December) in the laboratory using the ion-leakage test. Stem tissue were exposed to 6 test temperatures, ranging from +4 to -26˚C. Additionally, ...
