Abstract: Elaeagnus oxycarpa  is a pioneer species planted for water and soil conservation in arid area. In this study, neutron probe and oven drying method were used to monitor the change of soil moisture content, water consumption and water consumption intensity of E. oxycarpa were calculated using the water balance principle, and the growth of E. oxycarpa was analyzed. The results show that water consumption of E. oxycarpa was increased with increasing the irrigation volume, and the total water consumptions under 6 irrigation volumes were 172.14 mm, 301.11 mm, 346.92 mm, 372.53 mm, 428.74 mm, 564.62 mm and 631.96 mm respectively. The change of water consumption modulus was similar to the variation of the corresponding water consumption. Water consumption of E. oxycarpa in May and June was higher than that in other months, and the average daily water consumption intensity was also in a gradual increase trend with increasing the irrigation volume. All the growth indexes of E. oxycarpa were increased with increasing the irrigation volume in an irrigation volume range of 30-90 mm, but their differences were not significant when the irrigation volume was higher than 90 mm, especially the response of new branch length to irrigation volume was the most sensitive. Proportion of wilting coefficient of E. oxycarpa accounted for 11.33% of the field water capacity. Growth of E. oxycarpa could not be restricted when the field water capacity maintained higher than 49.15%.

Key words: Elaeagnus oxycarpa, growth season, water consumption, field water capacity, wilting coefficient, Manas River Basin