Growth Characteristics in Response to Soil Moisture Content with Sensor-based Automated Irrigation System in Chrysanthemum naktongense Nakai

Abstract

Chrysanthemum naktongense Nakai is a wild plant with ornamental and medicinal properties. As the demand for wild plant products increases, stable production methods are necessary to support industrial use. However, wild plants are typically grown under open-field conditions, and information on their irrigation practices in greenhouse cultivation is limited. In this study, we investigated the effects of soil moisture content in greenhouse cultivation on the growth and irrigation water use efficiency of C. naktongense Nakai seedlings. Using a sensor-based automated irrigation system, the soil moisture content was maintained at four volumetric water content levels: 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6 m3·m23. The leaf area and fresh and dry weights of the leaves and stems decreased significantly at 0.3 m3·m23, whereas the highest values were observed at 0.5 m3·m23, with photosynthetic ability showing a similar trend. Irrigation water use efficiency was calculated based on the total dry weight and cumulative irrigation amount during the experiment, was highest in the 0.5 m3·m23 treatment. These findings contribute to the determination of the water requirements of C. naktongense Nakai and to develop an efficient irrigation practice for the domestication of this crop in a greenhouse.