Water Needs of Black Locust Robinia pseudoacacia L. in the First Three Years of Growing in the Reclamation Plantings in Poland

Abstract

Black locust, considered an ornamental plant, is often used in the soil reclamation process, because it enriches the soil with nitrogen. High seedling survival rate in the first stage of reclamation depends mainly on sufficient water conditions controlled by irrigation, which in turn requires determining the plant's water needs. The aim of the research was the estimation of black locust water needs during the first three years of growing. Potential evapotranspiration, as the measure of the plant water needs, was calculated in the study. The formula of Blaney-Criddle, modified by Zakowicz for Polish conditions, by using the adjusted crop coefficients, was applied. The calculations were carried out for the growing period (April-October) during the thirty years period (1981-2010), for five agro-climatic regions of Poland.