Water use efficiency of non-irrigated field crops [Australia]. [Conference paper]
1987
Perry, M.W. (Western Australian Dept. of Agriculture, Perth. Div. of Plant Research)
Water use measurements on field crops in Australia can be interpreted and understood by developing the theory of vapour transfer and carbon dioxide assimilation of a leaf. The analysis developed proved a useful theoretical base for the study of water use efficiency (WUE) and grain yield. The analysis emphasises the important role of the vapour pressure deficit (VPD) in determining WUE and it is likely that varying WUE between environments is largely due to the VPD regimes during grain filling. Soil evaporation (SE) is a major component of water balance, especially in southern Australia where winter rainfall is often received as frequent, relatively small events. WUE calculations based on growing season rainfall can provide an important benchmark and focus for analysis of the crop enterprise. However, for this to be useful, the analysis of the benchmark 'potential' must be appropriate to that environment taking into account the likely SE given soil type and rainfall pattern, and the VPD regime during grain filling.
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