Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Relative water content'

Remotely sensing plant canopy water status remains a long term goal of remote sensing research. Established approaches to estimating canopy water status - the Crop Water Stress Index, the Water Deficit Index, the Equivalent Water Thickness and the many other indices - involve measurements in the thermal or reflective infrared. Here we report plant water status estimates based upon analysis of polarized visible imagery of a cotton canopy measured by Ground Multiangle SpectroPolarimetric Imager (GroundMSPI). Such estimators potentially provide access to the plant hydrological photochemistry that manifests scattering and absorption effects in the visible spectral region.

For this research, the abnormality of tissue cultured plantlets,vitrification, was examined in Gypsophila paniculata.Measurement of the relative water content and water saturation deficit of plantlets in culture revealed that vitrified plantlets contain relatively more water and less air spaces than non-vitrified plantlets.The effect of relative humidity on vitrification and growth was investigated using a variety of methods.From the results found, it was determined the defining characteristic of vitrified plantlets is water filled intercellular spaces. It was also determined that the primary cause of vitrification is high relative humidity resulting in a lack of transpiration in vitro but that other factors such as unbalanced mineral nutrition or high medium cytokinin can exacerbate vitrification.Further research in tissue culture may investigate the influence of relative humidity on plant growth and morphology, the mechanism by which plants exclude water from their intercellular spaces and refine in vitro tissue mineral analysis as a means by which critical mineral concentrations can be determined.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The development of a precise, non-destructive method to measure leaf water status is an important step towards testing our theories and models of leaf hydraulic function. Many of the responses of stomata to rapid changes in leaf water content (minutes to hours) are difficult to measure, in part due to destructive sampling methodologies necessary for establishing leaf water content. In this thesis, I use the technology of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry to measure dynamic in vivo leaf relative water content (RWC). I show how stomata respond to rapid water deficit with a high level of temporal precision, by combining this measure of leaf water status with other non-destructive technologies such as leaf gas exchange. I apply the new simultaneous measure of leaf water status and transpiration to measure leaf hydraulic conductance dynamically and repeatedly in the same leaf over a range of water contents for the first time. Furthermore, I use the technique to show how the response of stomata to rapid water deficit is adapted to climate in the leaves in eucalypts, the dominant genus of tree in most Australian biomes. This research develops the new low-field NMR sensor as a useful tool for uncovering processes in leaf physiology and hydraulics, in conjunction with other non-destructive technologies and add to our understanding of the finely tuned relationship between climate and leaf physiology in eucalypts.

Liners are used in the engineered containment systems such as landfills for controlling the migration of contaminants. Although there are several techniques for detecting the leakages through the liners, use of the electrical resistivity method can assist in timely detection of contaminant migration in cost-effective manner. This method is based on the well-established fact that the electrical resistivity of soils and other geomaterials is much higher than the electrical resistivity of water, leachates or any liquid effluents which may permeate the landfill foundation material. Additionally, the geotechnical properties of a soil exhibit a close relationship with its electrical resistivity values for different conditions. This thesis presents the results of investigation into the interaction between the various electrical factors pertaining to resistivity tests in Perth sandy soil (specifically AC-input voltage and frequency) and those controlling the soil characteristics, specifically water/fluid content and relative density of the soil, and the types of permeant employed in the tests, namely distilled water, tap water, three leachates and seawater. For a landfill system situated near a salt water body, the effects of seawater and seawater-leachate intrusion have also been scrutinized. For the measurement of electrical resistivity for different soil density and contamination conditions, the experimental apparatus was developed as per Australian standard AS 1289.4.4.1-1997 as a significant part of the thesis work. The test results indicate that the resistivity of the sandy soil is almost independent of both AC-input voltage and frequency within the ranges used, while the choice of electrode material has an insignificant effect on the outcome of tests using this method. It is observed that the resistivity of sandy soil decreases rapidly with an increase in water/fluid content, but the rate of decrease reduces considerably for water contents over 12% in the case of distilled water and 10% for tap water, irrespective of the relative density. The resistivity is found to decrease almost linearly with an increase in relative density. However, the effect of relative density on the electrical resistivity of the soil is found to be negligible at higher water contents. In the landfills and similar containment systems, there is a possibility of leakage of leachate across the liners and/or seawater intrusion, depending on the location of the landfills. Hence, the study was conducted to evaluate the effects of contamination on the electrical resistivity of the Perth soil by changing the fluid content with various combinations of tap water, three different leachates and seawater. The study shows that for any mix of leachate and tap water, the resistivity decreases rapidly with increasing fluid content; however, the rate of decrease reduces significantly for fluid contents over 9%, irrespective of the type of leachate. Almost the same trend is observed for the case of seawater. Correlations between electrical resistivity, water content, relative density, amount and the composition of permeating fluid, which are applicable to the soil and permeating fluids used in the study, have also been developed and presented.

Memoria para optar al Título Profesional de Ingeniero Forestal
Peumus boldus Mol. (Boldo), es una especie endémica y característica del bosque esclerófilo. Su potencial económico está relacionado con la comercialización de sus hojas. El problema asociado a este mercado tiene relación con la sostenibilidad del recurso en el tiempo. Considerando su potencial económico, se evaluaron las respuestas morfo-fisiológicas en rebrotes nuevos y vástagos remanentes, según intensidad de corta, en la Comuna de Olmué, Región de Valparaíso. Se establecieron tres parcelas de 0,2 hectáreas cada una, donde se midieron: número de vástagos por cepa, DAP de los vástagos por cepa y área basal a nivel de cepa. De las tres parcelas, una corresponde a una parcela control y las dos parcelas restantes fueron cosechadas parcialmente. Se seleccionaron 12 cepas control y 12 cepas intervenidas. Las variables hídricas medidas fueron: potencial hídrico de la hoja (a pre-alba (ΨA) y al mediodía (ΨMD)) y contenido hídrico relativo de la hoja (a pre-alba (CHRA) y al mediodía (CHRMD). Para la caracterización del crecimiento de rebrotes se midieron el DAC y altura, y para la evaluación del crecimiento de los vástagos remanentes se midió el DAP de todos los vástagos por cepa. Para estimar la biomasa de rebrotes, se construyeron modelos de regresión utilizando el peso seco de 20 rebrotes y las variables predictoras DAC y altura. Para estimar la biomasa de los vástagos remanentes, se emplearon funciones de biomasa determinadas por Durán (2005). Por último, se analizó la acumulación de biomasa aérea total de boldo en cepas control y cepas intervenidas para un período de evaluación de un año. Los resultados muestran que el bosque con presencia de boldo presentó una densidad promedio de 207 cepas/ha correspondientes a un Gha inicial de 5,06 m2/ha. Las cepas presentaban en promedio nueve vástagos que, en su mayoría eran menores a 5 cm de DAP. Luego de la cosecha, Gha se redujo a 4,45 m2/ha. El potencial hídrico a pre-alba (ΨA), mostró diferencias significativas entre el tratamiento control y el tratamiento intervención (vástagos y rebrotes). A su vez el potencial hídrico a mediodía (ΨMD) siguió la misma tendencia presentada en ΨA. Al comparar el potencial hídrico dentro de los tratamientos, se observaron diferencias significativas en los tres casos estudiados. Con respecto al contenido hídrico relativo (CHR), se observaron diferencias significativas para el tratamiento control y el de intervención de vástagos tanto en pre-alba como en mediodía. Dentro del tratamiento sólo se observaron diferencias significativas en el tratamiento de intervención de vástagos, en donde en la medición del mediodía se presenta un CHR menor al observado a pre-alba. En el crecimiento de rebrotes el DAC y la altura presentaron un promedio de 4,8 mm y 34,1 cm respectivamente. El diámetro a la altura del cuello (DAC) tuvo una variación entre 1,1 mm y 15,1 mm, mientras que la altura presente en los rebrotes tomó valores entre los 0,40 cm y los 168 cm. En el crecimiento de vástagos remanentes las cepas control presentaron un incremento en DAP de 0,1 cm mientras que las cepas intervenidas presentaron un incremento de 1,1 cm. Para estimar la biomasa aérea de rebrotes, se estableció el DAC como la mejor variable predictora y se obtuvo una producción de biomasa aérea total de rebrotes de 1,03 kg y por componente (hojas y tallo) de 0,187 kg y 0,523 kg respectivamente a nivel de individuo. Para la biomasa aérea de vástagos remanentes, el componente más representativo fue el fuste, seguido por la biomasa foliar. El crecimiento inicial de boldo mostró una baja recuperación de la biomasa total en cepas con cosecha parcial al final del primer año de crecimiento, por lo que la sostenibilidad de la producción de hoja de boldo no se encontraría asegurada.
Peumus boldus Mol. (Boldo), is an endemic species characteristic of the sclerophyllous forest. Its economic potential is related to the commercialization of its leaves. However, the problem associated with this market has to do with the sustainability of the resource over time. Considering its economic potential, the morpho-physiological responses in new shoots and remaining stems were evaluated, according to the intensity of cutting, in the Olmué Commune, Valparaíso Region. Three plots of 0,2 hectares each were established, where they were measured: number of stems per strain, DBH of stems per strain and basal area at strain level. Of the three plots, one corresponds to a control plot and the remaining two plots were partially harvested. Were selected 12 strains control and 12 partial harvest. The water variables measured were: leaf water potential (pre-dawn (ΨA) and noon (ΨMD)) and relative leaf relative water content (pre-dawn (RWCA) and noon (RWCMD). For the characterization of the growth of sprouts, the DRC and height were measured, and for the evaluation of the growth of the remaining shoots the DBH of all the shoots per strain was measured. To estimate the biomass of sprouts, regression models were constructed using the dry weight of 20 sprouts and the predictor variables DRC and height. To estimate the biomass of the remaining shoots, the biomass functions determined by Durán (2005) were used. Once the total aerial and component biomass was determined, the accumulation of total aerial biomass of boldo in control strains and strains intervened for an evaluation period of one year. The results showed that the forest with presence of boldo had an average density of 207 strains/ha corresponding to an initial basal area per hectare of 5,06 m2/ha. The strains showed on average nine stems, which were mostly smaller than 5 cm of DBH. After harvest, basal area per hectare was reduced to 4,45 m2/ha. The pre-dawn water potential (ΨA) showed significant differences between the control treatment and the intervention treatment (stems and sprouts). In turn the water potential at noon (ΨMD) followed the same trend presented in ΨA. When comparing the water potential within the treatments, significant differences were observed in the three cases studied. Regarding the relative water content (RWC), significant differences were observed for the control treatment and for the intervention of stems in both pre-dawn and noon. Within the treatment only significant differences were observed in the intervention treatment of stems, where in the noon measurement a lower RWC is present compared to pre-dawn. In the growth of sprouts the DRC and height presented an average of 4,8 mm and 34,1 cm respectively. The diameter at root collar height (DRC) had a variation between 1,1 mm and 15,1 mm, while the height present in the sprouts took values between 0,40 cm and 168 cm. In the growth of remnant stems the control strains had an increase in DBH of 0,1 cm while the intervened strains showed an increase of 1,1 cm. To estimate the aerial biomass of sprouts, DRC was established as the best predictor variable and a total aerial biomass production of 1,03 kg and per component (leaf and stem) of 0,187 kg and 0,523 kg respectively at the individual level. For the aerial biomass of remnant stems, the most representative component was the stem, followed by the leaf biomass. The initial growth of boldo showed a low recovery of the total biomass in strains with partial harvest at the end of the first year of growth, reason why the sustainability of the production of boldo leaf would not be assured.

Avaliar o estado hídrico das plantas é essencial para o monitoramento das culturas agrícolas e florestais. A interação da radiação eletromagnética com as plantas é um processo estudado por sensoriamento remoto (SR). Através da técnica de SR é possível interpretar os fatores que influenciam na quantidade de energia absorvida, transmitida e refletida pela planta. Neste estudo, buscou-se estabelecer as relações existentes entre variações nos parâmetros da água com o comportamento espectral e gerar modelos matemáticos que sejam capazes de predizer o conteúdo relativo da água (CRA) e espessura equivalente da água (EEA) em 11 diferentes espécies de Eucalyptus, utilizando um sensor hiperespectral. Os dados foram obtidos por meio da pesagem e respectiva leitura espectral das folhas, sendo que estas passaram por uma metodologia de desidratação. Tal metodologia permitiu encontrar uma diferença de reflectância média de 26% entre o máximo e mínimo teor de água na folha, provando a influência do CRA no comportamento espectral, sendo a água um dos fatores de maior domínio na reflectância na região do infravermelho médio (1300nm - 2500nm). A partir das curvas espectrais foi possível avaliar que os comprimentos de onda próximo ao 1400 nm e 1900 nm foram os mais sensíveis ao conteúdo de água. A análise de componentes principais permitiu reforçar estes resultados, uma vez que as pontuações (scores) dos componentes que apresentaram correlações significativas com o CRA tiveram maiores pesos (loadings) nas regiões espectrais citadas anteriormente. A partir das respostas espectrais também foram realizados os cálculos dos índices espectrais já descritos em literatura, e estes submetidos a análise de regressão simples para predição do CRA e EEA. O índice espectral calculado com a combinação de bandas do infravermelho médio (1300nm e 1450nm) foi o que apresentou melhores resultados ao predizer os parâmetros da água, sendo que o SR1300,1450 teve um R2=0,72 para o CRA e R2=0,81 para o EEA. Os dados espectrais foram correlacionados com os parâmetros da água, e encontrou-se que para o CRA o comprimento de onda 1881 nm apresentou um coeficiente de correlação máximo negativo de r= -0,89, enquanto que o EEA apresentou um coeficiente de correlação máximo negativo de r= -0,79 no comprimento de onda 2165 nm. Foram testados três métodos de seleção das variáveis hiperespectrais para gerar um modelo matemático por meio de uma regressão linear. Para o parâmetro CRA, o método de seleção de variáveis stepwise foi o que gerou o maior (R2= 0,86) e um RMSE = 13,85%, sendo que neste método restaram apenas seis variáveis preditoras. Enquanto que o método de seleção de variáveis pelas regiões do espectro foi o mais preciso ao predizer o parâmetro EEA, com um R2= 0,87 e um RMSE = 0,00012 g/cm2, sendo necessárias apenas 5 variáveis espectrais.
The hydric condition assessment of plants is essential for monitoring agricultural and forest cultures. The interaction of electromagnetic radiation with plants is a process studied by remote sensing. Through this technique it is possible to interpret the factors that plays influence on the quantity of energy absorbed, transmitted and reflected by the plant. In this study was sought the establishment of existing relations between variations on the water parameters and the spectral behavior and then to generate mathematical models capable of predictiong the relative water content (RWC) and equivalent water thickness (EWT) among 11 different Eucalyptus species using a hyperespectral sensor. The data was obtained through weighting followed by reflectance readings of leaves in which the leaves had gone through a dehydrating methodology. The dehydrating methodology allowed finding a average reflectance difference of 26% between the maximum and the minimum water content on the leaf, proving the influence of the RWC in the spectral behavior in which the water plays great influence in the medium infrared reflectance region (1300 nm - 2500 nm). From the spectral curves it was possible to conclude that the wavelengths near 1400 nm and 1900 nm were the most sensitive to the water content. The principal content analyses reinforced these results once the scores of the components that showed significant relations with the RWC had the bigger loadings in the mentioned spectral regions. Spectral indices already described in literature were calculated using the spectral responses and their results were submitted to a simple regression for predicting RWC and EWT. The spectral index calculated by the combination of medium infrared (1300 nm and 1450 nm) was the one which had better results when prediction water parameters in which SR... had an R2=0,72 for RWC and R2=0,81 for EWT The spectral data was correlated to the water parameters and it was observed that for the RWC at 1881 nm showed a maximum negative coefficient of correlation of r=-0,89 whereas the EWT showed a maximum negative coefficient of correlation of r=-0,79 at 2165 nm. Three selection methods were tested for the hyperespectral variables in order to generate a mathematical model through linear regression. For the RWC parameter, the selection method of stepwise variables was the one which generated and R2=0,86 and a RSMSE = 13,85%. For this method just 6 predicting variables were left. While the variables selection method by spectral regions was the most precise when predicting the EWTparameter with a R2 = 0,87 and a RMSE = 0,00012 g/cm2 being just 5 spectral variables necessary.

Resumo: A cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.) é uma das principais culturas das regiões tropicais, cuja produtividade agrícola pode ser afetada pelo déficit hídrico. Para investigar o processo de tolerância e sensibilidade ao déficit hídrico, diferentes parâmetros fisiológicos foram avaliados em cultivares de cana-de-açúcar tolerantes (SP83-2847 e CTC15) e sensível (SP86-155) ao déficit hídrico. A deficiência hídrica afetou todo o aparato fotossintético das plantas de forma diferenciada dentro e entre as cultivares. A taxa fotossintética e condutância estomática diminuíram significativamente para todas as cultivares submetidas ao estresse. Nas plantas controle das cultivares (cv) tolerantes SP83-2847 e CTC15 observou-se que a taxa fotossintética apresentou valores mais altos em comparação a cultivar sensível SP86-155. Resultados do teor relativo de água mostraram que a cultivar CTC15 apresentou melhor condição hídrica durante o período de déficit hídrico. A eficiência quântica do fotossistema II da cultivar SP83-2847 mostrou maior estabilidade nos últimos dias do tratamento experimental, sugerindo que o decréscimo do teor relativo de água estimulou o ajuste da capacidade fotossintética frente às alterações da disponibilidade hídrica. De modo geral, as cultivares SP83-2847 e CTC15, consideradas tolerantes, sob déficit hídrico exibiram melhor desempenho em relação a cultivar sensível SP86-155. Os dados permitem sugerir que tais parâmetros fisiológicos podem ser empregados na avaliação e distinção de genótipos de cana-de-açúcar tolerantes e sensíveis ao déficit hídrico.
Abstract: The sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is one of the main crops cultivated in tropical areas, whose agricultural productivity can be affected by drought. To investigate the tolerance and sensitivity process to water deficit, various physiological parameters were evaluated in sugarcane cultivars considered tolerant (SP83-2847 and CTC15) and sensitive (SP86-155) to drought. The water deficit affected the entire photosynthetic apparatus of all plants in different manners, inside and among cultivars. The photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance decreased significantly for all cultivars, submitted to water stress. In control plants of the tolerant cultivars SP83-2847 and CTC15, it was observed that the photosynthetic rate showed better values in comparison to sensitive cultivar SP86-155. According to relative water content results of the cultivar CTC15 showed better condition water performance during the drought. The quantum efficiency photosystem II of the cultivar SP83-2847 showed greater stability in recent days of the experimental treatment, suggesting that the decline in the relative water content stimulated the adjustment of photosynthetic capacity to face the changes in water availability. Thus, cultivars SP83-2847 and CTC15, considered tolerant under water deficit, showed better performance in comparison to sensitive cultivar SP86-155. The data suggest that these physiological parameters can be used in the evaluation and distinction of drought tolerant and sensitive sugarcane genotypes.
Orientador: Sonia Marli Zingaretti
Coorientador: Clara Beatriz Hoffmann-Campo
Banca: Rinaldo Cesar de Paula
Banca: José Renato Bouças Farias
Mestre

A prominent landslide deposit in the Slope Basin seaward of the Megasplay Fault in the Nankai Trough was emplaced by a high-mobility landslide based on analysis of physical properties and seismic geomorphology. Slide acceleration is a critical variable that determines amplitude of slide-generated tsunami but is many times a variable with large uncertainty. In recent controlled laboratory experiments, the ratio of the shear stress to yield strength (defined as the Flow Factor) controls a wide spectrum of mass movement styles from slow, retrogressive failure to rapid, liquefied flows. Here, we apply this laboratory Flow Factor approach to a natural landslide in the Nankai Trough by constraining pre-failure particle size analysis and porosity. Several mass transport deposits (MTDs), were drilled and cored at Site C0021 in the Nankai Trough during International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 338. The largest, MTD B, occurs at 133-176 meters below seafloor and occurred approximately 0.87 Mya. Slide volume is 2 km3, transport distance is 5 km, and average deposit thickness is 50 m (maximum 180 m). Pre-failure water content was estimated from shallow sediments at Site C0018 (82%). The average grain size distribution is 37% clay-sized, 60% silt-sized, and 3% sand-size particles as determined by hydrometer analyses of the MTD. Together, the water content and clay fraction predict a Flow Factor of 3.5, which predicts a relatively high mobility slide. We interpret that the landslide that created MTD B was a single event that transported the slide mass relatively rapidly as opposed to a slow, episodic landslide event. This is supported by the observation of a completely evacuated source area with no remnant blocks or retrogressive headscarp and an internally chaotic seismic facies with large entrained blocks. This approach can be extended to other field settings characterized by fine-grained siliciclastics and where water content and clay percentages are known.

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A cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.) é uma das principais culturas das regiões tropicais, cuja produtividade agrícola pode ser afetada pelo déficit hídrico. Para investigar o processo de tolerância e sensibilidade ao déficit hídrico, diferentes parâmetros fisiológicos foram avaliados em cultivares de cana-de-açúcar tolerantes (SP83-2847 e CTC15) e sensível (SP86-155) ao déficit hídrico. A deficiência hídrica afetou todo o aparato fotossintético das plantas de forma diferenciada dentro e entre as cultivares. A taxa fotossintética e condutância estomática diminuíram significativamente para todas as cultivares submetidas ao estresse. Nas plantas controle das cultivares (cv) tolerantes SP83-2847 e CTC15 observou-se que a taxa fotossintética apresentou valores mais altos em comparação a cultivar sensível SP86-155. Resultados do teor relativo de água mostraram que a cultivar CTC15 apresentou melhor condição hídrica durante o período de déficit hídrico. A eficiência quântica do fotossistema II da cultivar SP83-2847 mostrou maior estabilidade nos últimos dias do tratamento experimental, sugerindo que o decréscimo do teor relativo de água estimulou o ajuste da capacidade fotossintética frente às alterações da disponibilidade hídrica. De modo geral, as cultivares SP83-2847 e CTC15, consideradas tolerantes, sob déficit hídrico exibiram melhor desempenho em relação a cultivar sensível SP86-155. Os dados permitem sugerir que tais parâmetros fisiológicos podem ser empregados na avaliação e distinção de genótipos de cana-de-açúcar tolerantes e sensíveis ao déficit hídrico.
The sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is one of the main crops cultivated in tropical areas, whose agricultural productivity can be affected by drought. To investigate the tolerance and sensitivity process to water deficit, various physiological parameters were evaluated in sugarcane cultivars considered tolerant (SP83-2847 and CTC15) and sensitive (SP86-155) to drought. The water deficit affected the entire photosynthetic apparatus of all plants in different manners, inside and among cultivars. The photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance decreased significantly for all cultivars, submitted to water stress. In control plants of the tolerant cultivars SP83-2847 and CTC15, it was observed that the photosynthetic rate showed better values in comparison to sensitive cultivar SP86-155. According to relative water content results of the cultivar CTC15 showed better condition water performance during the drought. The quantum efficiency photosystem II of the cultivar SP83-2847 showed greater stability in recent days of the experimental treatment, suggesting that the decline in the relative water content stimulated the adjustment of photosynthetic capacity to face the changes in water availability. Thus, cultivars SP83-2847 and CTC15, considered tolerant under water deficit, showed better performance in comparison to sensitive cultivar SP86-155. The data suggest that these physiological parameters can be used in the evaluation and distinction of drought tolerant and sensitive sugarcane genotypes.

A cultura de soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) é muito importante mundialmente em função de seu uso na alimentação animal, como principal fonte de proteína e óleo, além de constituir a matéria prima básica para diversos setores da indústria. Sabe-se que a produtividade potencial de uma cultura é determinada por fatores genéticos e pelos seguintes atributos do ambiente de produção: temperatura, radiação solar, dióxido de carbono e fotoperíodo, sem restrição de água, nutrientes, plantas daninhas, pragas e doenças. A disponibilidade hídrica afeta o crescimento e desenvolvimento da cultura de soja, especialmente durante o período reprodutivo, fase de elevada atividade fisiológica. A deficiência hídrica é o principal fator limitante da produção mundial da cultura, que em sua maioria é cultivada em sistema de sequeiro em áreas com consideráveis riscos de ocorrência de deficit hídrico ao longo do ciclo da cultura. As plantas, ao longo do tempo, desenvolveram mecanismos para tolerar e/ou evitar os efeitos negativos desse estresse. O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar esses mecanismos de tolerância associando-os ao potencial matricial do solo em processo de secagem. Foi avaliado a umidade gravimétrica e potencial matricial do solo, conteúdo relativo de água na folha, potencial hídrico foliar, prolina e caracteres relacionados à produção de plantas de soja, durante o período de enchimento de grãos, submetidas a três, seis, nove e doze dias sem irrigação, comparados com o controle irrigado diariamente. De acordo com o observado, os mecanismos de tolerância da soja à deficiência hídrica foram satisfatórios para a manutenção do conteúdo relativo de água e potencial hídrico foliar em níveis adequados até o valor de potencial matricial de água no solo de -0,8 atm, tendo a prolina papel importante nesse mecanismo. As avaliações hídricas, conteúdo relativo de água e potencial foliar se mostraram relacionados com a manutenção da produtividade de soja sob situação de deficiência hídrica, mostrando-se adequados para o estudo de tolerância de cultivares de soja à restrição hídrica.
Soybean crop (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is very important worldwide because it is used in animal feeding, a source of protein and oil, and also raw material for many manufactured goods. It is known that a crop potential yield is determined by genetic factors and by the following production environment characteristics: temperature, solar radiation, carbon dioxide, photoperiod, water availability, nutrients, weeds, pests and diseases. Water availability affects soybean growth and development especially during the reproductive phase which has high physiological activity. Water deficit is a key factor on world`s soybean production which is generally grown in dry land systems with considerable high risks of water deficit along soybean crop season. Plants have developed mechanisms over time to tolerate and/or avoid negative effects of this kind of stress. The present study had as the main goal to characterize these mechanisms of tolerance associating them with soil matric potential of a soil in a drying process. It was assessed the gravimetrical humidity and soil matric potential, leaf relative water content, leaf water potential, proline and yield component of plants under three, six, nine and twelve days without irrigation during grain filling phase. In accordance with the observed, soybean water deficit tolerance mechanisms were enough to maintain leaf relative water content and leaf water potential at acceptable levels until soil matric potential were around -0.8 atm, which proline was a key factor in this mechanism. Leaf relative water content and leaf water potential showed to be related in maintaining soybean yield under water deficit and they may be used in studies of soybean tolerant cultivars to water restriction.

O objetivo do trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de tecnologias para melhoria da qualidade e vida de vaso em rosas (Rosa hybrida.) Vega. Os tratamentos précolheita foram realizados com aplicação de silício (0, 200, 400 e 800 mg L-1) por meio de fertirrigação via solo e via foliar. Foram realizadas seis aplicações semanais de silicato de potássio (12% Si) em rosas Vega, distribuídas em blocos casualisados com quatro repetições, e seis avaliações pós-colheita (dias 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 e 10). Após a colheita, foram avaliados: comprimento de haste, diâmetro de haste e de pedúnculo, comprimento de botão e a massa das hastes. As flores foram armazenadas em vasos com água deionizada a 20±1°C e 65±5% UR, sendo avaliadas: variação da massa fresca, conteúdo relativo de água (CRA) de pétalas e folhas, atividade de peroxidase, abertura floral, curvatura do pedúnculo, turgescência e escurecimento de pétalas, e coloração de pétalas. A aplicação de 400 mg L-1 de silício proporcionou maior comprimento de haste, maior CRA e cromaticidade das pétalas e menor atividade de peroxidase. A aplicação foliar também apresentou maior comprimento de botão, CRA de folhas, e luminosidade de pétalas, e a aplicação via solo também apresentou maior diâmetro de haste, maior massa inicial, menor variação de massa fresca e maior abertura floral, indicando que a aplicação de silício pode contribuir para melhorar a qualidade de rosas Vega. Os tratamentos pós-colheita foram realizados com aplicações de 0,1 mM de salicilato de metila (MeSa), 1 L L-1 de 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP), e 1 mM de ácido salicílico (AS). Após a aplicação dos tratamentos por 12 horas, as flores foram mantidas em vasos com água deionizada, armazenadas a 25±1°C e 65±5% U R. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualisado, com quatro repetições por tratamento e seis avaliações (dias 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 e 10). Os tratamentos com AS e 1-MCP reduziram a atividade respiratória, produção de etileno, perda de massa e a curvatura do pedúnculo, tendo permitido maior manutenção do conteúdo relativo de água das pétalas, maior abertura floral, maior luminosidade das pétalas, e maior atividade de peroxidase. O AS também proporcionou melhor manutenção da turgescência, do conteúdo relativo de água das folhas, e menor escurecimento das pétalas.
The objective of this study was the development of technologies to increase the quality and vase life of cut roses (Rosa hybrida.) Vega. The pre-harvest treatments were the application of silicon (0, 200, 400 and 800 mg L-1) via foliar spray and root feeding, in quality of cut roses. Six weekly applications of potassium silicate (12% Si) were performed on roses Vega, distributed in a randomized block design with four replicates per treatment, and six evaluations (days 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10). After harvest, the stem length, stem diameter, peduncle diameter, bud length and mass of the stems were evaluated. The flowers were kept in vases with deionized water, stored at 20±1°C and 65±5% RH, with evaluati ons of loss of fresh weight, leaf and petal relative water content (RWC), peroxidase activity, flower opening, bent neck, turgidity, petal darkening, and color of petals. The application of 400 mg L-1 of silicon provided increase in stem length, in petal RWC, petal chromaticity and reduced peroxidase activity. The application via foliar spray also increased bud length, the leaf RWC and the petal luminosity. The root feeding also increased the stem diameter, the floral opening, the initial mass, and reduced the fresh weight loss, indicating that the application of silicon can improve the quality of roses Vega. The postharvest treatments were the application of 0,1 mM of methyl salicylate (MeSa), 1 L L-1 of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), and 1 mM of salicylic acid (SA), in postharvest quality conservation of Vega roses. After the application of treatments for 12 hours, the flowers were kept in vases with deionized water, stored at 25±1°C and 65±5% RH. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications and six evaluations (days 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10). The treatments with SA and 1-MCP reduced respiratory activity, ethylene production, loss of fresh weight and bent neck; and enable better maintenance of petal relative water content, largest flower opening and higher petal luminosity. SA also provided better maintenance of turgidity and leaf relative water content and less petal darkening.

The Canterbury plains are frequently exposed to summer drought and climate predictions forecast that the severity and frequency of summer drought will increase. The most commonly used pasture grass, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), is drought sensitive. One possible method to maintain sward dry matter (DM) production under water stress is to use an alternative grass species such as tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). The objective of this research was to compare summer DM production of monoculture swards of perennial ryegrass and tall fescue under various seasonal drought regimes to study physiological and biochemical drought responses of each species. Data were collected over a period of two-summer seasons, Season One (2006-2007) and Season Two (2007-2008) in an automated rain shelter at Lincoln, Canterbury. Drought treatments included exposure of plants to a spring or autumn drought or a four-weekly "irrigated" drought regime. DM yields of the two species were similar under each watering regime. The control treatment, under non-limiting conditions, has the highest accumulated yield in both Season One and Two for ryegrass (17.1 and 15.7 t DM ha⁻¹) and tall fescue (18.8 and 16.0 t DM ⁻¹) respectively. Spring and autumn drought treatments were similar for the two species in accumulated yield in either season, however the exposure to drought stress returned yields lower than the control. Consistently, the lowest-yielding treatment was the four-weekly irrigated drought, which resulted in an average yield across species in Season One of 10.1 t DM ha⁻¹ and 8.35 t DM ha⁻¹ in Season Two. Growth rates of the swards were calculated using accumulated DM production against accumulated thermal time using a base temperature of 3°C for both species. The control treatments showed a strong linear relationship for both species in both seasons, though Season Two showed a period of approximately 390 °Cd of no growth. Spring growth was similar for all treatments until October when both the spring drought and four-weekly irrigated treatment deviated from the control as water stress commenced. Growth also ceased under autumn drought later in the season. The physiological drought responses between species and among treatments differed. Tall fescue under control conditions had the highest photosynthesis rates of 20.5 µmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹,or 22% higher than ryegrass, whereas the four-weekly irrigated treatment showed no inter-species differences. Differences were also found for other gas exchange parameters. Physiological water use efficiency (phys WUE) in ryegrass was 15% greater than tall fescue in Season Two. Photosynthesis and gas exchange rates against leaf water potential showed declining gas flow in both species across all treatments in response to drying soil conditions and across all irrigation treatments. The osmo-protectant proline was 22% higher in concentration in ryegrass than in tall fescue in Season Two and increased in drought stressed treatments in both seasons. Water stress was found to reduce total chlorophyll concentrations in all treatments and in tall fescue, while little change occurred in the chlorophyll a:b ratio. In conclusion, the findings from this thesis suggest similar DM responses for the two species under drought. The findings suggests that tall fescue performs more as a "water user" under drought conditions, compared with perennial ryegrass, which is more a "water saver." Resonses to the changing environment to a point, before "shuttting up shop" through lower stomatal conductance.

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Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq
A macieira (Malus X domestica Borkh.) apresenta anomalias fisiológicas quando cultivada em regiões de inverno ameno, onde o frio hibernal é insuficiente para superação da dormência. Assim, na presente tese foram estudados três temas de pesquisa. No tema 1 estudou-se a distribuição e fenologia da brotação e crescimento inicial da ramificação primaveril; No tema 2 estudou-se a brotação primaveril através da determinação do status hídrico de gemas laterais e da condutância hidráulica do xilema. O tema 3 realizou-se a análise do comportamento da brotação primaveril de uma cultivar de baixo exigência em frio cultivada em inverno ameno. Para isso, foram montados dois dispositivos experimentais: Experimento 1: realizado em Montpellier/França, onde foram estudadas quatro cultivares de macieira, com diferentes requerimentos em frio (‘Condessa’, ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Royal Gala’ e ‘Starkrimson’), submetidas a dois regimes térmicos (inverno frio, condições naturais de Montpellier; e inverno ameno, temperatura controlada em casa-de-vegetação). Experimento 2: realizado com a cultivar de baixo requerimento em frio ‘Eva’ sob regime térmico hibernal ameno (condição natural de Capão do leão/Brasil). A partir do experimento 1, dois artigos foram redigidos . Conclui-se a partir dos resultados obtidos (artigos 1 e 2) que as temperaturas hibernais têm o principal efeito na distribuição da ramificação ao longo do eixo principal e no tempo para brotação; a presença de folha das plantas submetidas ao regime térmico de inverno ameno não afeta a distribu ição de ramos prolépticos vegetativos; a cultivar exerce efeito no crescimento da ramificação. Com relação ao status hídrico, conclui-se que durante o inverno (período de dormência) as gemas laterais permanecem hidraulicamente isoladas do eixo principal; assim como o potencial de brotação está relacionado a um efeito ramo inteiro (todo eixo principal) do que ao potencial individual de cada gema lateral. Através do experimento 2, um artigo foi elaborado, tendo por objetivo testar a hipótese que a posição em que a gema lateral está localizada sobre o eixo principal têm efeito na brotação primaveril, no conteúdo de água e tamanho das mesmas. Pode-se concluir deste estudo que uma semana antes a brotação, as gemas localizadas na zona distal possuem maior potencial de crescimento (maior frequência de brotação e menor tempo médio para brotação), além de apresentarem maior umidade ponderal e tamanho.
The apple tree (Malus X domestica Borkh.) presents morphological and physiological anomalies when grown in mild winter climates with insufficient winter chilling to overcome winter dormancy. Symptoms are typically delayed and erratic budburst, entailing desynchronized flowering and fruitset and poor agronomic performances. This thesis aimed at gaining more insights on the following issues. Firstly, what are the effects of winter temperatures on axillary burdburst and bud outgrowth, and what are the respective effects of winter temperatures and cultivar?, and secondly, is there a link between the temperature-dependent budburst and bud water status? Works were done in France and Brazil. In France, experiments were carried out in controlled conditions on four apple cultivars characterized by either high chilling (‘Granny Smith’, ‘Royal Gala’, ‘Starkrimson’) or low chilling (‘Condessa’) requirements and were submitted to outdoor-cold and greenhouse-mild winter temperatures. We showed that the actual shoot architecture and budburst resulted from an ordered sequence of events with a pivotal role of winter temperatures on the dormancy completion of individual lateral buds. Endogenous factors related to the cultivar branching pattern overtook the temperature effect on the lateral bud outgrowth. Furthermore, the delayed senescence and subsequent leaf persistence during winter, characterizing the apple tree in the mild winter temperature conditions, had only a weak effect on the topological distribution of budburst and lateral outgrowth. The analyses of bud water status were done on distal buds only, characterized by high budburst frequency in cold winter conditions. We showed that, from endodormancy to the pre-budburst stage, xylem conductance at the stem-to-bud junction did not show consistent changes across cultivars and winter temperature treatments. Bud water potential had negative values, between -4.35 and -2.24 MPa, depending on cultivars and winter temperature treatments. Moreover, whatever the cultivar, there were no significant trends across dates for the effects of winter temperatures on bud water potential and relative water content without a consistent relationship with actual spring budburst frequency. These results suggested that lateral buds were hydraulically isolated from the parent stem during winter until a few days before budburst. The other set of experiments was carried out in Brazil, under mild winter conditions, on the low chilling apple cultivar ‘Eva’. The objectives were to gain more insights on the effect of the position of the over-wintering lateral bud along the whole-parent shoot on bud size and water content. Results highlighted that distal buds were larger and had a higher water content than proximal buds with a strong increase of water content a week before spring budburst. It was concluded that the acrotonic pattern of budburst was mainly established during ecodormancy. As a whole, we showed that spring budburst seemed more related to a whole-shoot effect than to the water status of the individual bud during winter dormancy. Our study substantiated the importance of the whole shoot as an integrated morphological and physiological unit in driving budburst and further growth.

Les enceintes de confinement sont sollicitées lors d'un accident grave par la modification thermodynamique du milieu interne qui génère une pression pouvant monter jusqu'à 5 bars, une température évaluée au maximum à 180 °C et une humidité relative pouvant aller jusqu'à la saturation. Au-delà de calculs réglementaires, la complexité de la sollicitation nécessite une bonne connaissance du comportement mécanique et thermique des matériaux et en particulier du béton dans la gamme de température et d'hygrométrie imposée afin d’être capable de mener les simulations numériques les plus réalistes possibles.Notre étude présente les évolutions des caractéristiques mécaniques et thermiques essentielles pour les simulations numériques d'un béton dans la plage de pression, température et humidité imposées lors d'un accident grave. Les essais mécanique et thermique sont réalisés sous chargement thermo-hydrique contrôlées. La température (T) est fixée à cinq valeurs cibles : 30, 90, 110, 140 et 160 °C. Les cinq degrés de saturation en eau liquide du béton (Sw) varient entre 36 % et 100 %. Les différents degrés de saturation en eau liquide des éprouvettes sont obtenus par le contrôle de l’humidité relative de l’ambiance entourant l’éprouvette pendant leur cure. L’essai DCT (Disk-shape Compact Tension) a été choisi pour déterminer l’évolution de l’énergie de fissuration, du module d'élasticité et de la résistance en traction en fonction de la température et de Sw, en raison de son caractère très compact favorable pour la mise en oeuvre des essais sous pression (essai au-delà de 100 °C). Les propriétés thermiques sont évaluées par la méthode de la Source Plane Transitoire (TPS). C’est une technique permettant de déterminer la conductivité thermique, la diffusivité thermique et d'en déduire la chaleur spécifique. L’évolution de la perméabilité relative à l’azote du béton en fonction de la température jusqu'à 90 °C et du degré de saturation en eau du béton a été évaluée également. Après avoir déterminé les propriétés thermiques et mécaniques du béton, une modélisation numérique a été réalisée afin de passer de l’échelle de laboratoire à l’échelle de la structure. Un couplage entre un modèle hydrique et un modèle d’endommagement a été réalisé
In case of severe accident, confinement chambers are submitted to thermodynamic variations of their internal environment. Pressures can increase up to 5 bars, temperature reaches 140 °C and relative humidity attains saturation. Beyond regulatory calculations, the complexity of the solicitation needs a good knowledge of the thermo-mechanical behaviour of concrete under the imposed conditions of temperature and relative humidity. This, in turns allows to develop numerical simulations as realistic as possible. The present study investigates the evolution of the mechanical and thermal characteristics of concrete. These properties are essential to develop numerical computations under the levels of pressure, temperature and relative humidity imposed during a severe accident. Mechanical and thermal tests are carried out under controlled hydro-thermal conditions. Temperature (T) is fixed at five target values: 30, 90, 110, 140 and 160 °C. Five levels of degree of saturation (Sw) range from 36 % to 100 %. The different target values of degree of saturation are attained by controlling relative humidity in the surrounding environment of the specimens during curing. DCT (Disk-shape Compact tension) tests was chosen to determine the dependence of the fracture energy, elastic modulus and traction resistance on temperature and degree of saturation of concrete because of its compact shape that is more suitable for testing under pressure (temperature above 100°C). Thermal properties are determined by means of the Transient Plane Source (TPS) method. This technique allows to determine thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and hence to deduct specific heat. The dependence of the permeability to liquid nitrogen on temperature up to 90 °C and on the degree of saturation was also analysed. After determining thermal and mechanical properties of concrete, numerical simulations have been developed in order to pass from laboratory scale to the structure scale. A coupled hydro-mechanical model and a damage model are proposed

Articular cartilage is a tough and resilient tissue lining the ends of articulating bones. It provides a smooth surface for joint locomotion as well as transmitting the force between bones. The main components of articular cartilage are collagen (20% w/w), proteoglycans (10% w/w) and water (70% w/w). The interactions between these three give the tissue its special characteristics. Water as a molecule is often forgotten when considering the mechanical properties of articular cartilage. This thesis aims to increase our knowledge of the role of water molecules in the load bearing mechanisms of the tissue. It will also investigate the material properties of cartilage as hydrogel. Different rates of loading (impact and slow compression) were used on partially dehydrated articular cartilage (bovine and human). The impact was also recorded using high-speed video cameras. Values of modulus of elasticity, Poisson's ratio, energetic coefficient of restitution were measured together with viscoelastic spectra, by Fourier transformation, and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was also performed on bovine and human articular cartilage, as well as transmission electron microscopy where different freeze substitution solvents were used. The stiffness of the tissue increased and the energetic coefficient of restitution decreased with decreasing water content. Cartilage explants had a smaller volume at the point of full strain than at the start of the impact and this volume loss was associated with the level of hydration of the tissue. Poisson's ratio was not associated with the water content of the tissue. The DSC showed that the water existed in the tissue in different environments, as the exothermic traces showed melting patterns with multiple peaks. Transmission electron micrographs revealed an area surrounding the collagen molecules that could be associated water. These results indicate that water might exist in a structured way in the tissue, and that it is important for the mechanical capabilities of the tissue.

Water deficit increases boll shedding. Large squares, however, are much less likely to shed, possibly because they contain high concentrations of free and total auxin (indole-3-acetic acid or IAA). Our previous research indicated that much of this IAA disappears by the time the squares open as flowers and the IAA content remains low for about four days after anthesis. If water deficit decreases the IAA content, or increases the ABA conten4 of squares and flowers, then water deficit before flowering could have a carry-over effect and increase the shedding rate of young bolls that subsequently develop from them. In field plots, water deficit increased the ABA content of flowers as much as 66 %. Water deficit first decreased and later increased the concentrations of free and total IAA in squares that were analyzed about three days before anthesis. Flowers contained much less IAA than squares. Despite pronounced effects of water deficit on the IAA content of squares it is unlikely that it had any carry-over effect on the free IAA content of young bolls that subsequently developed from them. Water deficit slightly increased the total IAA content of flowers, but had no effect on their free IAA. Because water deficit increased the ABA content but did not decrease the IAAA content of flowers, any carry-over effect of water deficit on young boll shedding might have been from changes in ABA but not from changes in IAA before the young-boll stage.

Producing since 1995, Bozova Field is a mature oil field to be re-evaluated. When evaluating an oil field, the common approach followed in a reservoir simulation study is: Generating a geological model that is expected to represent the reservoir
building simulation models by using the most representative dynamic data
and doing sensitivity analysis around a best case in order to get a history-matched simulation model. Each step deals with a great variety of uncertainty and changing one parameter at a time does not comprise the entire uncertainty space. Not only knowing the impact of uncertainty related to each individual parameter but also their combined effects can help better understanding of the reservoir and better reservoir management. In this study, uncertainties associated only to fluid properties, rock physics functions and water oil contact (WOC) depth are examined thoroughly. Since sensitivity analysis around a best case will cover only a part of uncertainty, a full factorial experimental design technique is used. Without pursuing the goal of a history matched case, simulation runs are conducted for all possible combinations of: 19 sets of capillary pressure/relative permeability (Pc/krel) curves taken from special core analysis (SCAL) data
2 sets of pressure, volume, temperature (PVT) analysis data
and 3 sets of WOC depths. As a result, historical production and pressure profiles from 114 (2 x 3 x 19) cases are presented for screening the impact of uncertainty related to aforementioned parameters in the history matching of Bozova field. The reservoir simulation models that give the best match with the history data are determined by the calculation of an objective function
and they are ranked according to their goodness of fit. It is found that the uncertainty of Pc/krel curves has the highest impact on the history match values
uncertainty of WOC depth comes next and the least effect arises from the uncertainty of PVT data. This study constitutes a solid basis for further studies which is to be done on the selection of the best matched models for history matching purposes.

Sendo a condutividade hidráulica do solo um parâmetro que traduz a facilidade com que a água se movimenta ao longo do perfil de solo, sua determinação, principalmente no campo, torna-se imprescindível, visto que o movimento da água no solo está diretamente relacionado à produção das culturas agrícolas. Com isso, a aplicação de um método confiável que quantifique a condutividade hidráulica versus umidade, a função ( ) q K , certamente contribuirá muito para uma correta avaliação dos resultados, principalmente tendo em conta a grande variabilidade dessa função devido à variabilidade natural das características do solo. Neste trabalho, testou-se o método do perfil instantâneo com o objetivo de avaliar a função ( ) q K com e sem a suposição de gradiente unitário e também o seu comportamento com relação aos os horizontes pedológicos do solo. A determinação da função foi feita usando tensiômetros com manômetros de mercúrio instalados às profundidades de 0,1; 0,2; 0,3; 0,4; 0,5; 0,6; 0,7; 0,8; 0,9; 1,0; 1,1 e 1,2 m e curvas de retenção determinadas para as mesmas profundidades, num Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico argissólico A moderado textura média, localizado no campo experimental da Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", Universidade de São Paulo. A análise dos resultados foi feita pelo teste F de análise de variância, a fim de testar o paralelismo, a igualdade dos interceptos e a coincidência entre as retas lnK versus q, considerando e não considerando a suposição do gradiente unitário. Além disso, foram feitos também testes de similaridade da função ( ) q K de cada profundidade do solo pelo índice de concordância de Willmott (1981). Com base na análise dos resultados pode-se dizer que, com os procedimentos utilizados de delimitação da área para inundação e redistribuição da água, podem ser empregados modelos simples que consideram unitário o gradiente de potencial total e que, pela comparação feita entre as profundidades, a separação do perfil do solo em horizontes pedológicos parece seguir a separação em camadas com funções ( ) q K semelhantes, apenas a partir da profundidade 0,6 m.
The soil hydraulic conductivity is a parameter that quantifies the ability of the soil to conduct water along the soil profile. Hence its field determination is indispensable, since soil water movement is directly related to the field crop productions. Thus, the use of an adequate method that assesses the hydraulic conductivity as a function of soil-water content, the ( ) q K function, certainly will very contribute to a proper evaluation of results, mainly if it is considered the great variability of this function as a result of the natural variability of the soil characteristics. In this work, the instantaneous profile method was tested with the objective to evaluate a) the ( ) q K function taking and not taking into consideration the assumption of unit gradient and b) the behaviour of the ( ) q K function with respect to the pedological horizons of the soil. The determination of the function was made using mercury manometer tensiometers installed at the depths of 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7; 0.8; 0.9; 1.0; 1.1 and 1.2 m and soil water retention curves determined for the same depths, in an Oxisol, located at experimental fields of Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, University de São Paulo, in Piracicaba (SP), Brasil (22 o 42’ 43,3’’ W and 47 o 37’ 10,4’’ S). The result analysis was made using an F-test in order to verify the paralelism, the intercept equality and the coincidence of the lnK versus q straight lines, taking and not taking account of the assumption of unit hydraulic gradient. Basides, similarity tests of the ( ) q K function were also made by the Willmott (1981) index. From the analysis of results, it could be concluded that, with the procedures used to delimit the experimental plots in this experiment to water the soil profile and to follow the water redistribuition, the unit gradient approches seem to be adequate to assess the field ( ) q K function and also that the pedological horizons seem to follow the layers of similar ( ) q K function, for depths greater than 0.6 m.

L’étude des propriétés et processus microphysiques caractérisant la phase glace permet de mieux définir le rôle des nuages dans le cycle de l’eau et sur bilan radiatif de l’atmosphère. Les modèles atmosphériques et les codes d’inversion des données de télédétection utilisent des paramétrisations établies à partir de mesures in situ. Ces mesures servent également des besoins industriels en lien avec la problématique du givrage en aéronautique. L’étude présentée se base sur les données de deux campagnes aéroportées réalisées dans le cadre de la collaboration internationale HAIC-HIWC, ciblant les zones à fort contenu en glace que l’on peut observe rau sein des systèmes convectifs à méso-échelle (MCS) tropicaux. Sur la question des relations « masse-diamètre » (m - D) d’abord, une nouvelle approche est présentée. Basée sur la résolution d’un problème inverse, elle permet de restituer la masse des cristaux à partir de mesures colocalisées classiques en s’affranchissant de la traditionnelle hypothèse de loi puissance, et montre que cette dernière ne permet pas de représenter correctement les propriétés massiques de populations de cristaux hétérogènes (morphologie et tailles différentes) typiques des MCS. La variabilité horizontale des distributions de tailles permet d’étudier le vieillissement de l’enclume d’un point de vue microphysique et de souligner le rôle essentiel du processus d’agrégation dans l’élimination des petits cristaux apportés dans la haute troposphère par la convection profonde et dans la formation d’agrégats supra-millimétriques, précurseurs glacés des précipitations stratiformes. Les relations m - D restituées permettent d’identifier des régimes microphysiques distincts et ouvre la voie aux développement d’une paramétrisation de la masse volumique des hydrométéores en fonction de critères environnementaux
The detailed characterization of ice cloud microphysics is key to understand their role in theEarth’s hydrological cycle and radiation budget. The developement of atmospheric models and remote sensingalgorithms relies on parametrisations derived from in situ measurements. These measurements are also usedby the aviation industry to handle the problem of ice crystal icing. This PhD work presents an analysis of themass and size properties of ice crystals observed in high ice water content areas embedded in tropical mesoscaleconvective systems (MCS) during two airborne field campaigns of the HAIC-HIWC international project.A new approach is developped to derive mass-size relationships (m - D) from size distributions and icewater contents. The retrieval is formulated as an inverse problem which waives the power law constraint, aclassical assumption that proves to be an oversimplification when applied to heterogeneous populations of iceparticules typical of MCS anvils.The horizontal variability of size distributions and the aging of MCS anvils is described in terms of microphysicalprocesses. The importance of the aggregation growth process is emphasized as it efficiently removessmall ice particles brought into the upper troposphere by deep convection and significantly contributes to theformation of large agregates, precusor of the stratiform precipitations. The analysis of mass properties revealsthat distinctive microphysical regimes may be identified from the m-D relationship retrieved in various conditions.It paves the way toward a statistical model of the effective density of ice particles as a function of environmentalparameters

This Thesis provides experimental evidences about the reliability of the relative water content to predict the drought-driven vegetation die-off and die-back. In the Introduction, I briefly discussed on the effects of global climate changes on plant fitness and survival, focusing on unresolved questions for identifying reliable indicator of plant mortality, a key issue to perform reliable plant mortality risk models and to realize vegetation monitoring programs. In a first study, I recorded a significant impact of leaf water content and membrane damages on the impairment as well as on the recovery of the leaf hydraulic conductance, the “bottleneck” of plant water transport system. Moreover, in the measured species (i.e., P. nigra), a novel negative feedback mechanism linking leaf shrinkage to the leaf hydraulic conductance has emerged. These findings suggested that water content, but also leaf shrinkage, could be used as early indicator of hydraulic failure, a key indicator of whole plant drought resistance. Therefore, in a second study, I tested this hypothesis performing measurements on two Mediterranean native Salvia species. Results recorded in this second study led me to checked the impact of leaf hydraulic failure of the two Salvia species on whole plant hydraulic conductance as well as on its ability to recover from drought recovery. Then, I performed a fourth study aimed to check if and which plant organ water content is actually a reliable proxy of plant die-off. The Conclusions chapter provides a general overview and synthesis on the key findings across these studies.

abstract: There is a growing consensus that photodegradation accelerates litter decomposition in drylands, but the mechanisms are not well understood. In a previous field study examining how exposure to solar radiation affects decomposition of 12 leaf litter types over 34 months in the Sonoran Desert, litter exposed to UV/blue wavebands of solar radiation decayed faster. The concentration of water-soluble compounds was higher in decayed litter than in new (recently senesced) litter, and higher in decayed litter exposed to solar radiation than other decayed litter. Microbial respiration of litter incubated in high relative humidity for 1 day was greater in decayed litter than new litter and greatest in decayed litter exposed to solar radiation. Respiration rates were strongly correlated with decay rates and water-soluble concentrations of litter. The objective of the current study was to determine why respiration rates were higher in decayed litter and why this effect was magnified in litter exposed to solar radiation. First, I evaluated whether photodegradation enhanced the quantity of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in litter by comparing DOC concentrations of photodegraded litter to new litter. Second, I evaluated whether photodegradation increased the quality of DOC for microbial utilization by measuring respiration of leachates with equal DOC concentrations after applying them to a soil inoculum. I hypothesized that water vapor sorption may explain differences in respiration among litter age or sunlight exposure treatments. Therefore, I assessed water vapor sorption of litter over an 8-day incubation in high relative humidity. Water vapor sorption rates over 1 and 8 days were slower in decayed than new litter and not faster in photodegraded than other decayed litter. However, I found that 49-78% of the variation in respiration could be explained by the relative amount of water litter absorbed over 1 day compared to 8 days, a measure referred to as relative water content. Decayed and photodegraded litter had higher relative water content after 1 day because it had a lower water-holding capacity. Higher respiration rates of decayed and photodegraded litter were attributed to faster microbial activation due to greater relative water content of that litter.
Dissertation/Thesis
Masters Thesis Biology 2019

For this research, the abnormality of tissue cultured plantlets,vitrification, was examined in Gypsophila paniculata.Measurement of the relative water content and water saturation deficit of plantlets in culture revealed that vitrified plantlets contain relatively more water and less air spaces than non-vitrified plantlets.The effect of relative humidity on vitrification and growth was investigated using a variety of methods.From the results found, it was determined the defining characteristic of vitrified plantlets is water filled intercellular spaces. It was also determined that the primary cause of vitrification is high relative humidity resulting in a lack of transpiration in vitro but that other factors such as unbalanced mineral nutrition or high medium cytokinin can exacerbate vitrification.Further research in tissue culture may investigate the influence of relative humidity on plant growth and morphology, the mechanism by which plants exclude water from their intercellular spaces and refine in vitro tissue mineral analysis as a means by which critical mineral concentrations can be determined.

Introducing effective irrigation management in arid and semi-arid regions, like most areas of South Africa, is an indispensable way of maximising crop yield and enhancing productivity of scarce freshwater resources. Holistic improvements in agricultural water management could be realised through integrating the knowledge of crop-specific water requirements. In order to develop effective irrigation schedules for rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium capitatum x P. radens), greenhouse and field experiments were conducted at the Hatfield Experimental Farm of the University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa, from 28 October 2004 to 2006. Results from 20, 40, 60 and 80% maximum allowable depletion (MAD) levels of the plant available soil water (ASW) indicated that plant roots extracted most of the soil water from the top 40 cm soil layer, independent of the treatment. Both essential oil yield and fresh herbage mass responded positively to high soil water content. Increasing the MAD level to 60% and higher resulted in a significant reduction in herbage mass and essential oil yields. An increase in the degree of water stress apparently increased the essential oil concentration (percentage oil on fresh herbage mass basis), but its contribution to total essential oil yield (kg/ha oil) was limited. There was no significant relationship between MAD level and essential oil composition. For water saving without a significant reduction in essential oil yield of rose-scented geranium, a MAD of 40% of ASW is proposed. Response of rose-scented geranium to a one-month irrigation withholding period in the second or third month of regrowth cycles showed that herbage mass and oil yield were positively related. Herbage yield was significantly reduced when the water stress period was imposed during the third or fourth month of regrowth. A remarkable essential oil yield loss was observed only when the plants were stressed during the fourth month of regrowth. Essential oil content (% oil on fresh herbage mass basis) was higher in stressed plants, especially when stressed late, but oil yield dropped due to lower herbage mass. The relationship between essential oil composition and irrigation treatments was not consistent. Water-use efficiency was not significantly affected by withholding irrigation in the second or in the third month of regrowth. With a marginal oil yield loss, about 330 to 460 m3 of water per hectare per regrowth cycle could be saved by withholding irrigation during the third month of regrowth. The overall results highlighted that in water-scarce regions withholding irrigation during either the second or the third month of regrowth in rose-scented geranium could save water that could be used by other sectors of society. In greenhouse pot experiments, rose-scented geranium was grown under different irrigation frequencies, in two growth media. Irrigation was withheld on 50% of the plants (in each plot) for the week prior to harvesting. Herbage and essential oil yields were better in the sandy clay soil than in silica sand. Essential oil content (% oil on fresh herbage mass basis) apparently increased with a decrease in irrigation frequency. Both herbage and total essential oil yields positively responded to frequent irrigation. A one-week stress period prior to harvesting significantly increased essential oil content and total essential oil yield. Hence, the highest essential oil yield was obtained from a combination of high irrigation frequency and a one-week irrigation-withholding period. In the irrigation frequency treatments, citronellol and citronellyl formate contents tended to increase with an increase in the stress level, but the reverse was true for geraniol and geranyl formate. Leaf physiological data were recorded during the terminal one-week water stress in the glasshouse pot trial. Upon rewatering, stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (Rt) were significantly lower in the less often irrigated than in the more often irrigated treatments, while leaf water potential (yw) and relative water content (RWC) were the same for all plants, indicating that water stress had an after-effect on Gs and Rt. At the end of the stress period, Gs, Rt, yw and RWC were lower in the plants from the more often irrigated than from the less often irrigated treatments. Irrespective of irrigation treatment, one type of non-glandular and two types (different in shape and size) of glandular trichomes were observed. In water stressed-conditions, stomata and trichome densities increased, while the total number of stomata and trichomes per leaf appeared to remain more or less the same. Water stress conditions resulted in stomatal closure.
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2009.
Plant Production and Soil Science
unrestricted