Water use of eucalypts — A review with special reference to South India

• Published in: Agricultural water management 1986-09, Vol.11 (3), p.333-342
• Main Author: Calder, Ian R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural and forest climatology and meteorology. Irrigation. Drainage; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Economic plant physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Water relations, transpiration, stomata
• ISSN: 0378-3774; 1873-2283
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-3774(86)90049-1

Current knowledge of the water use characteristics of eucalypts, in terms of transpiration and interception loss, is discussed within the context of the controversy concerning the possible deleterious effects of the present programme of afforestation in South India. Although results from studies in other countries cannot be simply extrapolated to Southern India it is argued that only in exceptional circumstances, in particular those when Eucalyptus species which do not exhibit stomatal control are planted in areas where water tables are shallow, are the fears of ‘voracious’ water use likely to be justified. The form of research program required to assess fully the hydrological implications of this planting programme is outlined.