ISHS Acta Horticulturae 119: III International Symposium on Water supply and Irrigation in the open and under Protected Cultivation
PARTIAL WETTING OF THE ROOT ZONE AND NITROGEN EFFECTS ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF SHAMOUTI ORANGES |
| Authors: | S. Dasberg, H. Bielorai, Y. Erner |
| Abstract:
The effects of partial Wetting of the root zone and three nitrogen levels on the yield and quality of Shamouti oranges is being investigated in a replicated field experiment in a mature orange grove in the Sharon region. Three wetted areas (ca 35, 70 and 90% of the soil surface) were obtained by means of different microjets or sprinklers. Three different amounts of water (approximately ET, ET+25%, ET-25%) were applied at 7 day intervals during the irrigation season (April-November). Three different amounts of Nitrogen were applied in the irrigation water, resulting in concentrations of approximately 10, 30 and 60 ppm N at the medium amount of water. Results of the first three years of the experiment will be presented. During the first two years the effects of wetted soil volume on fruit yield and quality was small. Only in the case of the lowest amount of water applied to 90% of the area decreases in leaf water potential as measured by pressure bomb and soil water potential as measured by tensiometers were observed. The nitrogen effects were more pronounced: significant differences in soil concentrations, leaf and fruit N contents were observed. Higher fruit yields were obtained with the high nitrogen applications. However, the fruits had thicker rinds and less orange colour. | |
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