
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Murtagh, GJ 
T1  - Factors affecting the growth of kikuyu. II. Water supply
JF  - Australian Journal of Agricultural Research
JO  - Aust. J.  Agric. Res.
Y1  - 1988
VL  - 39
IS  - 1
SP  - 43
EP  - 51
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/AR9880043 
N2  - The influence of water supply on the growth of a kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) pasture was estimated from field measurements of growth rate. A model was used to separate the confounded effects on growth of light interception, temperature, nitrogen and water supplies, and maintenance respiration. Water supply for growth was expressed as a function of both the soil water content and evaporative demand (potential evapotranspiration). The growth of kikuyu was very sensitive to water supply. On a wet soil (soil water potential > -20 kPa), an evaporative demand above 3.2 mm day-1 slowed growth. With optimum temperatures and a sward yield which gave the best balance between light interception and rate of maintenance respiration, a low evaporative demand of 2 mm day-1 reduced growth rates only when the soil water potential was less than - 134 kPa. However, with a medium-high evaporative demand of 5 mm day-1, growth was reduced by 39% on a wet soil, and ceased at a soil water potential of - 101 kPa. 
ER  -

