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- Author or Editor: William R. Feldman x
Determination of water needed for good function of established groundcovers in the Southwest is important in creating well-adapted, sustainable urban landscapes in this semi-arid region. Myoporum parvifolium from Australia and Dalea greggi from the Chihuahua Desert were tested at 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% of evaporation from an adjacent class A pan. Myoporum grew most at the higher irrigation regimes, but actually performed best at the lowest irrigation level, growing less than those given more water, but showing better color and vigor. Infrared leaf temperature data showed that lowest irrigation regime plants still transpired actively and had cool leaves. With Dalea, growth was directly related to water applied, with the most growth at the 100% treatment. All plants survived, but the lowest irrigation regime plants were sparse and showed definite signs of water stress. Infrared temperature measurements indicated increasing water stress as water applied decreased. At treatment onset, the Dalea had not completely covered the soil surface, so 75% of pan evaporation can be considered adequate for establishment of Dalea.
Golden Torch Cactus (Trichocereus spachianus) from Argentina is a handsome, cold-hardy, columnar cactus with excellent landscape potential. Hydrophilic polymer in combination with 5 watering regimes has been tested to determine the optimal water cost-effective manner to produce these cacti. The hydrophilic polymer is a highly absorbent polyacrylamide compound. The summer water regimes tested were: rainfall only, irrigation twice per week, once per week, twice per month, and monthly. The study was evaluated at 16 and 36 months. Amendment with polyacrylamide resulted in significant depression in total cuttings and total length of cuttings as of 16 months, but this effect had disappeared as of 36 months. There were no significant interactions between the polyacrylamide and irrigation regime variables. Irrigation regime significantly affected performance throughout the course of the study. Weekly irrigation (summer) resulted in the greatest cost benefits in terms of production as a function of water applied. Cultivation under ambient rainfall resulted in 100% survival and modest production, as compared with irrigated plants.