Partial root drying irrigation technique: Practical application of drought stress signaling mechanism in plants

Abstract

Partial root-zone drying (PRD) technique, a novel approach to watering crops, was developed on the basis of knowledge of root-to-shoot signaling in drying soil. The aim of the present paper was to investigate the effects of the PRD treatment on tomato growth and the water regime. The obtained PRD results showed significant reduction in shoot but not fruit growth in the absence of any changes in shoot water status, indicating the involvement of chemical root-to-shoot signals. Higher water use efficiency (WUE) results mean that the PRD technique can be used to reduce irrigation water without significant reduction of tomato yield.