WATER RELATIONS IN SUB-IRRIGATED PEACH TREES

A two-year trial was conducted in northern Italy's Po valley to determine the water status of peach. Treatments comparing two rootstocks and two water regimes were performed in a field having a 1.6% slope with respect to water table. Measurements of stomatal conductivity by diffusion porometer and of temperature by infrared thermometer were taken throughout the irrigation period.

The water table had no effect on stomatal conductance as to either irrigation or rootstock. Stomatal conductance data showed that all treatments exhibited increased transpiration following damage induced by pesticide treatment.

Infrared temperature was always lower than air temperature irrespective of rootstock and irrigation.