Khalil,, B., Miseha, W., Gad EL Rab, G. (2000). WATER MANAGEMENT FOR APPLE TREES UNDER DRIP IRRIGATION. Journal of Plant Production, 25(6), 3641-3658. doi: 10.21608/jpp.2000.259146
Bahan M. Khalil,; W. I. Miseha; G. M. Gad EL Rab. "WATER MANAGEMENT FOR APPLE TREES UNDER DRIP IRRIGATION". Journal of Plant Production, 25, 6, 2000, 3641-3658. doi: 10.21608/jpp.2000.259146
Khalil,, B., Miseha, W., Gad EL Rab, G. (2000). 'WATER MANAGEMENT FOR APPLE TREES UNDER DRIP IRRIGATION', Journal of Plant Production, 25(6), pp. 3641-3658. doi: 10.21608/jpp.2000.259146
Khalil,, B., Miseha, W., Gad EL Rab, G. WATER MANAGEMENT FOR APPLE TREES UNDER DRIP IRRIGATION. Journal of Plant Production, 2000; 25(6): 3641-3658. doi: 10.21608/jpp.2000.259146
WATER MANAGEMENT FOR APPLE TREES UNDER DRIP IRRIGATION
1Horticultural Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center .
2Soil,Water and Environment Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center
Abstract
Four drip irrigation treatments were used in a four years old apple orchard during 1997-1998 season at Khatatba, Menofia Governorate to determine the effect of water amounts on growth, yield, fruit quality and water use efficiency by apple trees. Anna apple trees budded on MM 106 rootstock planted at 3.0x 3.5 m spacing were used in this study. Irrigation treatments were: A= received equal amount to the estimated evapotranspiration for apple trees. B = received amount 25% less than treatment A.C = received amount 25% more than treatment A. D= irrigated according to the usual amount used by the farmers in the area. The main results could be summarized as follows:
1. Increasing the amount of applied water to apple trees enhanced it’s growth rate i.e. shoot length, leaf area, tree size and trunk growth for rootstock and scion.
2. Treatment A had the highest fruit setting followed by treatment B while C and D gave the lowest values of fruit set.
3. Applying water more or less than required according to estimated treatment decreased apple productivity significantly as well as yield efficiency.
4. Water requirements for apple trees grown under drip irrigation ranged between 2839 and 5520 m3/fed. The maximum water demand for apple trees was during June, July and August.
5. The highest water consumption efficiency values were obtained from treatments A,B and D.
6. Treatment A had the best fruit quality.