Phytopumping Indices for Evapotranspiration Bed

This study reports a novel indices to define phytopumping capability of plant. The indices are attempted to select a suitable plant for evapotranspiration bed application. Non coastal and coastal plants, three species of each, were studied in simulated evapotranspiration beds under greenhouse conditions. Evapotranspiration, evaporation and plant dry weight were measured that were represented as Et/E ratio and Relative Growth Rate (RGR). All tested plants (spinach, peanut, elephant grass, calos, cattapa, citrus) were shown to perform Et/E of more than 1. High Et/E corresponding to high RGR was significantly shown for the first three plants. Low Et/E corresponding to low RGR was the characteristic of calos and cattapa. These facts explained that water was absorbed and used for plant tissue building. The last coastal plant citrus (Morinda citrafolia) was found having high Et/E that corresponded to low RGR. This represents the indices for real phytopumping of water and suitable for the application in evapotranspiration bed.