If you’re thinking of setting up a tree plantation, you may have a few questions. This article discusses the benefits of irrigation for new plantations, its cost, and the ways it affects the growth of trees. It also discusses how to apply irrigation water to trees in a proper manner.
Costs associated with tree plantations
Growing trees is a great way to improve soil quality and prevent deforestation, but it also has costs. Plantations need lots of water and nutrients to survive. Some trees are more expensive than others. In addition, there are some costs associated with growing a larger tree, such as fertilizers.
The cost of planting trees depends on the species, location, and labor. The cost of planting a tree includes the purchase of the tree, labor, and site preparation. It also includes the initial care of the tree. According to McPherson (1994a), the planting costs account for a large portion of the total cost. Planting costs are usually higher for larger trees. Selecting the right type of tree helps to reduce these costs.
Previous studies have highlighted the risks and challenges associated with forest restoration in the Asia-Pacific region. Taking a political economy approach, the authors have identified many governance challenges, such as the control of state agencies, political connections of the main corporate actors, and corruption practices. The study focused on locally funded and privately funded restoration programs and tried to consider both sides of the table.
Need for irrigation in new plantations
Trees need water to survive and thrive. However, not all plants are equally adapted to drought conditions. Trees with deep roots and extensive surface areas tend to resist drought better and maintain their performance for longer periods. Luckily, many species are equipped with physiological traits that allow them to tolerate reduced levels of internal water.
One of the first things you must consider when establishing a new plantation is the soil. For example, Paulownia trees do not grow well in acidic soils. Therefore, the soil needs to be well-drained and easily permeable. The soil should be free of rocks and large stones and should be a minimum of one meter deep. In addition, the soil should not have excessive levels of clay or other impurities.
Effects of irrigation on tree growth
The effects of irrigation on tree growth can vary according to planting density and irrigation rate. The latter has been shown to influence trunk diameter. However, the interaction between planting density and irrigation rate was not significant. The higher irrigation rate increased trunk diameter by 29% compared to the lower one. It was also found that increased irrigation rate decreased the canopy volume by 0.05 mm d-1.
The study evaluated the effect of deficit irrigation on young apricot trees. The irrigation apply at intervals of seven, 14 and 21 days. In addition, the irrigation levels were control using reduction coefficients for class A pan evaporation. Growth parameters were measure, such as trunk diameter, mean branch length, volume and yield of the trees. The water use efficiency was also measure.
Drip irrigation and fertigation find to affect tree growth in a way that is beneficial to the roots. The two techniques also increased the availability of water and nutrients in the surface soil. The combined management also increased stem volume and biomass production, showing cumulative effects over time. The increased water and nitrogen availability in the soil was likely to be responsible for the promoting effects of drip irrigation and fertigation. Contrastingly, conventional management methods may reduce canopy volume and allocation of biomass to the roots, resulting in reduced plant growth.
Frequent irrigation also led to the enlargement of the trunk. This was evident in the BL and VT. The other growth variables showed similar responses under different irrigation intervals. Therefore, T14 could adopt as the best irrigation interval strategy for young apricot trees. This strategy may help the tree reach a higher yield and increase productivity.
The nutrient content in soil and water are two fundamental factors for plant growth. These two factors act as complementary and interactive processes, and are apply in intensive agriculture, horticulture, agroforestry, and plantation forestry. Amending the availability of these factors has helped increase crop production, but there are also some drawbacks. For example, water availability can limit nitrogen uptake, while excessive amounts of water can result in nutrient losses through leaching.
Higher ETc irrigation significantly increased the root lifespan of young citrus trees. The authors assumed that the increased ETc irrigation rate increased the wetted area and insulated the root system from changes in soil temperature.
Methods of applying irrigation water
One of the most important aspects of new plantations of trees is proper irrigation. A lack of irrigation leads to poor tree growth, which reduces the profits of the orchard over the long run. It also delays the peak investment in the orchard by up to 20%. To minimize the impact of poor tree growth, apply irrigation to new plantations as early as possible. The optimal watering schedule for trees should consider many parameters, including the type of soil, operational constraints, and stress points in the growing cycle.
Trees need approximately three to six gallons of water per day. This amount is sufficient during the first two years of growth. The system should be operational for three to six hours per day during the most water-demanding months. In addition, additional water should apply every day as the trees grow.
A good way to estimate the amount of irrigation water a tree needs is to use Equation 1 and Equation 2. The coverage of the canopy should at least 80%. If the existing overhead irrigation system is inadequate, it can retrofit with a surface drip irrigation system that uses tubing with inline emitters. The drip lines should cover with a two to four-inch layer of organic mulch to reduce evaporation and weed growth.
For new plantations of trees, the amount of water required for the trees will depend on several factors, including the type and size of the trees. Generally, new trees need more water than established ones. However, it is possible to determine the amount of water required for a tree by checking the soil’s moisture. If the soil is moist, but not soggy, the tree should not need irrigation water.
The timing of irrigation should also carefully consider. In most cases, irrigation water should apply once the soil moisture reaches 20 to 40 centibars. This time range is a range for most soils. However, it is important to use a moisture-sensing instrument to confirm the right timing.
