Fig. 4

Field experimental setup. a Schematic layout of the row column experimental design with three water treatments superimposed on top and four replicates (doted boxes) within each water treatment. Droughted (light blue) and fully irrigated (dark blue) plots faced north and south respectively in 2013. This arrangement was swapped in 2014. Partially irrigated plots (medium blue) were established in between the other two water treatments. Guard plots (green) were sown between water treatments and the edges of the rainout shelter. b Guard plots view from along the outer long edge of the rain-out shelter. c Top view of the field trial. d Sprinkler irrigation system