[Dynamic changes of Robinia pseudoacacia sap flow in hilly-gully region of Loess Plateau]

From April 14 to October 10, 2009, the dynamic changes of Robinia pseudoacacia sap flow in the hilly-gully region of Loess Plateau were measured with thermal dissipation probe. Meantime, the photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), air temperature, relative air humidity, water vapor pressure deficit (VPD), wind speed, and rainfall were monitored. The diurnal variation of the sap flow velocity (SFV) displayed a single-peak curve, but the pattern varied among different months. In April, the sap flow started to increase at about 12:00, and reached the peak at about 18:00. From May to August, the sap flow started to increase at 5:30-7:30, and reached the peak at about 15:00. In September and October, the sap flow started to increase at about 8:00, and reached the peak at 11:30-13:00. The monthly average SFV was the highest in August and the lowest in April, with the value being 0.002610 cm x s(-1) and 0.000549 cm x s(-1), respectively. During the monitoring period, the sap flow velocity was significantly correlated with PAR, air temperature, VPD, wind speed, and air relative humidity, and the correlation coefficients declined in the order of air temperature > VPD > PAR > relative humidity > wind speed. The sap flow velocity could be estimated by the linear equation with variables PAR and VPD, and the regression coefficients were highly significant.