Publications des scientifiques de l'IRD

Clermont Dauphin Cathy, Suvannang N., Hammecker Claude, Cheylan V., Pongwichian P., Do Frédéric. (2013). Unexpected absence of control of rubber tree growth by soil water shortage in dry subhumid climate. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 33 (3), p. 531-538. ISSN 1774-0746.

Titre du document
Unexpected absence of control of rubber tree growth by soil water shortage in dry subhumid climate
Année de publication
2013
Type de document
Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000319878300009
Auteurs
Clermont Dauphin Cathy, Suvannang N., Hammecker Claude, Cheylan V., Pongwichian P., Do Frédéric
Source
Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 2013, 33 (3), p. 531-538 ISSN 1774-0746
Rubber tree cultivation is presently expanding rapidly into dry subhumid areas. As a consequence, trees face a long dry season. Low growth rates are delaying the start of tapping. The relationship between the growth rate and the soil water availability is not clear. Therefore, we studied the origin of low growth rates. For that we analyzed the relationships between growth, plant water stress, and soil water availability along a toposequence with a soil depth gradient. The plantation of 3-year-old Hevea brasiliensis trees was located in northeast Thailand. Tree circumference, predawn leaf water potential (p), soil water potential (s), and micrometeorological parameters were monitored from 2007 to 2010. Results show spatial and temporal variability of growth with a threshold value of leaf water potential of -0.4 MPa for growth. This leaf water potential threshold was not associated with very dry soils as soil water potentials were higher than -0.05 Mpa. But the leaf water potential threshold was associated with a high air vapor pressure deficit higher than 3-4 kPa. Leaf water potential decreased when the soil at the bottom of the slope was saturated in the rainy season. These results provide, for the first time, evidence that soil water shortage is unexpectedly not the main cause of low growth rates. Dry air in the dry season and waterlogging in rainy season are major constraints.
Plan de classement
Pédologie [068] ; Bioclimatologie [072] ; Sciences du monde végétal [076]
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010060378]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010060378
Contact