Short-term stem diameter variations in irrigated and non-irrigated stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) trees in a xeric non-native environment

LOEWE-MUÑOZ, VERONICA; DEL RÍO, RODRIGO; DELARD, CLAUDIA; BALZARINI, MÓNICA

ANNALS OF FOREST SCIENCE (PRINT)

EDP SCIENCES S A

Año: 2021 vol. 78

1286-4560

? Key Message: Irrigation of adult stone pine trees growing in a xeric non-native habitat had positive effects not only in stem diameter growth but also in tree response to climatic variability. ? Context: Stone pine is a key species from Mediterranean Europe increasingly planted in South America. The knowledge about irrigation impact on short-term stem diameter dynamics is still limited in non-native arid areas. ? Aims: To improve our understanding of the effect of irrigation on (1) stem diameter changes of stone pine trees in a drought-prone environment in Chile and (2) the sensitivity of the species to weather conditions. ? Methods: We studied daily stem diameter changes in irrigated and non-irrigated 31-year-old stone pine trees during a growing season with below average precipitation in Chile. Short-term diameter changes were recorded using high-resolution dendrometers. The detrended daily stem diameter changes, expressing tree water status, were correlated with weather variability in both irrigated and non-irrigated trees. ? Results: The growth period lasted longer and the cumulative sum of daily changes increased by 130% in irrigated trees. Moreover, a similar correlation of tree water status with climatic variables was found in non-irrigated, with the exception of precipitation. ? Conclusion: Irrigation increased stone pine productivity in this xeric environment and reduced the correlations between daily stem diameter variations and local climatic variability.