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Water relations of Zygophyllum hamiense, Heliotropium kotschyi and Panicum turgidum and their response to rangeland management techniques in Abu Dhabi

Oatham, M.P. (1997) Water relations of Zygophyllum hamiense, Heliotropium kotschyi and Panicum turgidum and their response to rangeland management techniques in Abu Dhabi. Journal of Arid Environments, 35 (1). pp. 95-110. ISSN 0140-1963. (doi:10.1006/jare.1995.0133) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:18217)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/jare.1995.0133

Abstract

The diurnal water relations of two weeds of irrigated rangeland in Abu Dhabi and one important forage plant were investigated to determine reasons for their distribution and response to irrigation and topsoiling. Zygophyllum hamiense, a weed of sprinkle irrigated rangeland, was found to have a relatively low water potential which together with its succulent habit was interpreted to indicate its tapping of brackish and/or saline ground-water reserves. This also accounted for its distribution in depressions in the landscape, on disturbed areas such as sand sheets with stores of water, and irrigated areas. Heliotropium kotschyi dominated drip irrigated areas mainly through its rhizome growth habit. It showed stomatal control of water loss during the course of the day but still had to shed branches to survive the dry season without irrigation. Panicum turgidum showed no control of water loss and had the highest diurnal variation in water potential. The lack of water-loss control was reflected in its deciduous habit during the dry part of the year. Recommendations were made for irrigation schemes in Abu Dhabi to promote the growth of P. turgidum rather than Z. hamiense or H. kotschyi.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1006/jare.1995.0133
Uncontrolled keywords: desert; diurnal water relations; pressure-volume curves; irrigation; Zygophyllum hamiense; Heliotropium kotschyi; Panicum turgidum; Abu Dhabi
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Depositing User: M.A. Ziai
Date Deposited: 22 Sep 2009 12:38 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:56 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/18217 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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