Relationship between environmental factor and maximum daily stem shrinkage in apple tree in arid region of northwest China

After measuring maximum daily stem shrinkage (MDS) of irrigated apple tree using dendrometer during the year 2007–2010 in arid region of northwest China, we analyzed the respective relationships between MDS and single plant physiological index and environmental factors to investigate whether MDS can indicate the water status of apple tree and to establish empirical multiple regression equation among MDS and environmental factors. Results show that MDS increased at the beginning and then decreased gradually during whole growing stage. The close relationships between MDS and stem water potential, predawn water potential, stomatal conductance were found, showing that MDS can indicate the water status of mature apple tree. The relationships between MDS and single meteorological variable were significant at the other growth stages except at the bud development and flowering stage, because the canopy structure was not developed, and the order of determination coefficient (r2) over the whole growing stage was maximum vapour pressure deficit > maximum air temperature > net radiation. There were also significant correlations between MDS and soil volumetric water content and reference crop evapotranspiration over the whole growing stage. However, the determination coefficient among MDS and meteorological variables and soil volumetric water content at 0–120 cm depth was higher than those between MDS and single variable. Thus the multiple regression equation among MDS and meteorological variables and soil volumetric water content at 0–120 cm depth can be used to estimate MDS under fully irrigated apple orchard.

• Maximum daily stem shrinkage (MDS) can indicate the water status of mature apple tree. • Soil volumetric water content at 0–120 cm depth can indicate the effect of soil water change on the MDS in mature apple tree. •The multiple regression equation among MDS and meteorological variables and soil volumetric water content at 0–120 cm depth can be used to estimate MDS under fully irrigated apple orchard.