ISHS Acta Horticulturae 114: Symposium on Research and Development on Orchard and Plantation Systems
WATER USE AND THE CONTROL OF WATER STRESS IN HIGH DENSITY PLANTINGS |
| Author: | D. Atkinson |
| Abstract:
An inadequate water supply results in water stress. The depletion of soil moisture (V V-1) by trees of Golden Delicious/M.9 increased with increasing planting density, particularly where there were wide grassed alleys. Changes in water use due to increasing planting density were, however, smaller than those resulting from replacing the grassed alley by overall herbicide soil management. In HDP systems the relative amounts of root at depth and under the grassed alley increased, so increasing the volume of soil from which they could extract water. Soil applied irrigation increased the growth and cropping of HDP systems even with overall herbicide management but the trees still suffered water stress. In other trials, the intermittent wetting of the leaves by sprinklers or mist application reduced water stress and increased yield and quality. This technique may be particularly useful in HDP orchards. | |
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