SUCTION IRRIGATION IN ORNAMENTAL PLANTS: ANALYSIS OF WATER CONSUMPTION IN Dimorphotheca ecklonis DC. AND Graptopetalum paraguayense (N.E.Br.) E. Walther

Abstract

Suction irrigation in ornamental species provides only the amount of water required by the soil-plant-atmosphere system, reducing water losses due to evaporation, runoff, and percolation. In this work, an experiment was conducted in subdivided plots arranged in randomized blocks to evaluate the daily and cumulative water consumption of Dimorphotheca ecklonis DC. and Graptopetalum paraguayense (N.E.Br.) E. Walther. Two substrate mixtures were used: tezontle (3–4 mm) with peat (2:1) and tezontle (4–6 mm) with peat (2:1), with suction heights of 8 and 15 cm (H8 and H15). The results showed significant statistical differences (p < 0.05) in cumulative water consumption, suction height, and plant type. The ornamental species showed significant statistical differences in terms of water consumption (daily and cumulative), plant height, cover, and total fresh and dry matter production, where D. ecklonis recorded the highest values, while G. paraguayense maintained higher substrate moisture. These findings show that suction irrigation is an efficient water supply option in green infrastructure systems because water consumption is self-regulating.