Evapotranspiration from barley grown at different plant densities

Abstract

SUMMARY Evapotranspiration from spring barley plots grown at a range of densities was estimated using the neutron probe technique. Early in the season rainfall led to percolation and kept the soil at field capacity, but from the beginning of June significant differences were found in the cumulative evapotranspiration. As the crop canopy was complete by this time in all densities, it seems probable that evapotranspiration at this time was dependent on rooting density. Although the total water use at the end of the season was similar at all densities, the more rapid use earlier in the season at higher densities may have led to a reduction in growth at the grain filling stage.