Abstract Water harvesting techniques have shown promising outcomes in mitigating risks, increasing yields and delivering positive influences on other ecosystems. A field study was conducted in Northern Jordan to assess the influence of combined in-situ water harvesting techniques, micro-catchment and mulching on soil moisture content, plant morphology, gas exchange [photosynthesis (Pn), transpiration (E), and stomatal conductance (gs)] and midday stem water potential (Ψsmd) of young pistachio (Pistacia vera cv. Ashori) trees. Four mulching treatments [straw, vertical gravel, horizontal gravel and control (no mulching)] and three micro-catchment areas (36, 64 and 100 m2) were used. Pistachio trees were grown under rainfed conditions for two growing seasons. Gravel mulching (vertical and horizontal) and 36 m2 micro-catchment had the highest percentage increase in plant height compared with other treatments. In addition, 36 m2 micro-catchment significantly increased gas exchange variables (Pn, gs, and E). We partially attributed that to higher soil water content and Ψsmd in the 36 m2 compared with 64 and 100 m2 micro-catchment. Interestingly, the runoff water collected from 36 m2 treatment was 75 % higher than 64 m2 (53.4 vs. 30.6 L) and 28 % higher than 100 m2 (53.4 vs. 41.7 L). Therefore, the 36 m2 is the best micro-catchment area in term of runoff efficiency. Overall, the combined water harvesting techniques, gravel mulching (vertical and horizontal) and the 36 m2 micro-catchment hold promise for improving the morphology and physiology of young pistachio trees grown under rain-fed regime.

中文翻译：

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提高土壤含水量的集水技术，以及雨养条件下开心果树的形态生理学

摘要 集水技术在降低风险、提高产量和对其他生态系统产生积极影响方面显示出可喜的成果。在约旦北部进行了一项实地研究，以评估结合原位集水技术、微集水和覆盖对土壤水分含量、植物形态、气体交换 [光合作用 (Pn)、蒸腾作用 (E) 和气孔导度的影响(gs)] 和年轻开心果（Pistacia vera cv. Ashori）树的中午茎水势（Ψsmd）。使用了四种覆盖处理 [稻草、垂直砾石、水平砾石和控制（无覆盖）] 和三个微集水区（36、64 和 100 平方米）。开心果树在雨养条件下生长了两个生长季节。与其他处理相比，砾石覆盖（垂直和水平）和 36 m2 微集水区的植物高度增加百分比最高。此外，36 m2 微集水区显着增加了气体交换变量（Pn、gs 和 E）。我们将其部分归因于与 64 和 100 平方米微流域相比，36 平方米的土壤含水量和 Ψsmd 更高。有趣的是，从 36 平方米处理收集的径流水比 64 平方米（53.4 对 30.6 升）高 75%，比 100 平方米（53.4 对 41.7 升）高 28%。因此，就径流效率而言，36 m2 是最佳的微集水区。总体而言，集水技术、砾石覆盖（垂直和水平）和 36 平方米的微集水区相结合，有望改善在雨养条件下生长的开心果幼树的形态和生理机能。