Water deficit treatment and measurement in apple trees

Authors: Bassett, Carole; Artlip, Timothy - Tim; Wisniewski, Michael

Submitted to: Bio-protocol
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/5/2015
Publication Date: 2/5/2015
Citation: Bassett, C.L., Artlip, T.S., Wisniewski, M.E. 2015. Water deficit treatment and measurement in apple trees. Bio-protocol. 5(3):1-7.

Interpretive Summary: Global warming predicts future drought episodes increasing in number and intensity. Long-lived plants (perennials) face serious challenges in surviving such water limitations. One of the problems in researching the effects of dehydration on plants has been the lack of a uniform set of methods to mimic drought conditions. Scientists at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station were invited by a scientific journal that publishes experimental methods to submit a detailed description of the protocol they use to expose fruit trees to drought conditions. Publication in this journal is by invitation only and reflects the success the Agricultural Research Service scientists have had in studying drought effects on fruit trees.

Technical Abstract: Simulating drought can be a complex undertaking involving different strategies and methodologies many of which are not appropriate for perennial plants and often do not reflect what the plants face under field conditions. We developed a protocol for woody plants that approaches field drought situations, including a long period of dehydration (two weeks), a slow approach to the final water state (usually one week), and a mild-to-severe drought (40-45 percent of wet weight) rather than a complete loss of water. We describe the protocol in detail in order to improve reproducibility in drought experiments within and between laboratories.