ISHS Acta Horticulturae 146: International Workshop on Controlling Vigor in Fruit Trees
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF GROWTH CONTROL OF PEACH AND PEAR TREES USING REDUCED IRRIGATION |
| Authors: | D.J. Chalmers, P.D. Mitchell, P.H. Jerie |
| Abstract:
Vegetative growth of irrigated peach and pear trees was reduced by 80 and 70% when their daily water allocation was reduced to 1/8 and ¼ respectively of the evaporation from a class "a" pan during early stages of fruit growth. Shoot extension and TCA increase were similarly affected. On the other hand, fruit size, number or yield were not reduced and indeed yield per ha was increased by up to 30% with moderately severe droughting. Increased yields resulted from the fact that fruit growth was always stimulated (relative to the control) after the level of irrigation was raised to the control level following a period of reduced irrigation. There was a pronounced synergism between these effects and tree density, whereas the effect declined with increasing tree age. The physiological implications of these effects and interactions are discussed. | |
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