Distribution of dwarf coconut roots under water volumes in a hardened soil of the Tablelands

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of different water volumes, applied by micro sprinkler in a hardened Coastal Tableland soil, on the distribution of green-dwarf coconut roots. The study was carried out in the "Platô de Neópolis" Irrigation District. Three irrigation water volumes (150, 100, and 50 L d-1) were tested in a completely randomized design, with 4 replicates. The pit method and the software SIARCS were used to measure the density of roots (cm root per 0.56 m 2 of quadrant area) through the soil profile. The results obtained lead to the conclusion that the smallest water volume (50 L d-1) was not sufficient to overcome the expression of the hardened layers, which resulted in a restriction to the root deepening. This restriction was less evident in the volumes of 100 and 150 L, which presented a very similar behavior and provided better conditions for the development of roots, both laterally and in depth.