ISHS Acta Horticulturae 537: III International Symposium on Irrigation of Horticultural Crops
EFFECTS OF IRRIGATION REGIME AND CROP LOAD ON WATER USE AND YIELD OF ‘BRAEBURN’ APPLE GROWN IN LYSIMETERS |
| Authors: | B.S. Mpelasoka, M.H. Behboudian, S.R. Green |
| Keywords: | Malus domestica Borkh., deficit irrigation, heat-pulse, transpiration, stomatal conductance. |
| Abstract:
Deficit irrigation (DI) is potentially an effective management tool because it saves water, protects the environment, and improves most aspects of fruit quality. Effective application of DI requires a good understanding of crop water requirements. Since crop load is also an important determinant of crop water use and yield, this study investigated effects of crop load on water use and yield of ‘Braeburn’ apple grown in lysimeters under two irrigation regimes, fully irrigated control (C) and DI. Two crop loads, commercial level and a lighter level equivalent to 60% of the commercial level, were compared. Tree water use was measured using soil-water balance method through a lysimeter facility and heat-pulse method. Results from both methods showed a similar trend. The DI trees used less water than control trees at both crop loads. Under both irrigation regimes, water use was lower in trees carrying a light crop load. Increased mean fruit weight but decreased gross yield was observed with the light crop load. Deficit irrigation reduced mean fruit weight but had no significant effect on gross yield. Percentage of export-size fruit was not affected by the treatments. | |
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