Evapotranspiration of Pineapple in Hawaii

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Abstract
Measurements were made with hydraulic lysimeters of the rate of consumptive use of water by pineapple (Ananas comosus) and Bermuda grass sod (Cynodon dactylon). Full pineapple canopy effectively suspended water vapor exchange by midday. This daytime restriction was a remarkable contrast to the maximum rate of evapora-tion by day from grass sod or a free water surface. The restriction was accomplished despite a leaf area index of nearly 6. The control of transpiration was a direct physiologic function of the pineapple leaf, which is excellently designed for the control of gaseous exchange.