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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #404451
Research Project: Water and Nutrient Management for Sustainable Production of Small Fruit and Nursery Crops

Location: Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit

Title: Going with the flow

Author
item KELLER, SADIE - Oregon State University
item SHERIDAN, REBECCA - Oregon State University
item DAHMS-MAY, SCOUT - Oregon State University
item Scagel, Carolyn
item NACKLEY, LLYOD - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Digger
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/21/2023
Publication Date: 4/28/2023
Citation: Keller, S., Sheridan, R., Dahms-May, S., Scagel, C.F., Nackley, L. 2023. Going with the flow. Digger. 67(4):41-44.

Interpretive Summary: In Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the heart of the nursery industry, rainfall is scarce during the summer and humidity is low. The plant stress resulting from the low soil moisture, high heat and low relative humidity has been exacerbated in recent years by the increasing frequency of heatwaves. Drought and heat stress can scorch the canopies and reduce growth, leading to decreased plant quality and economic losses for shade tree growers. To improve irrigation efficiency and achieve water conservation benefits without sacrificing plant quality, growers need to know how their plants respond to water deficits. This article describes how scientists at Oregon State University and the USDA-ARS are using principles of plant hydraulic physiology to understand how shade trees respond to drought and heatwaves. The data generated is being used to make informed irrigation management decisions for nursery crops.

Technical Abstract: In Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the heart of the nursery industry, rainfall is scarce during the summer and humidity is low. The plant stress resulting from the low soil moisture, high heat and low relative humidity has been exacerbated in recent years by the increasing frequency of heatwaves. Drought and heat stress can scorch the canopies and reduce growth, leading to decreased plant quality and economic losses for shade tree growers. To improve irrigation efficiency and achieve water conservation benefits without sacrificing plant quality, growers need to know how their plants respond to water deficits. This article describes how scientists at Oregon State University and the USDA-ARS are using principles of plant hydraulic physiology to understand how shade trees respond to drought and heatwaves. The data generated is being used to make informed irrigation management decisions for nursery crops.