ISHS Acta Horticulturae 726: IV International Symposium on Pistachios and Almonds
THE POSSIBILITY OF IRRIGATION SYSTEM REPLACEMENT FROM SURFACE TO SUB-SURFACE FOR MATURE PISTACHIO TREES |
| Authors: | A. Mohammadi, B. Panahi |
| Keywords: | water use efficiency, early split, flooding system, porous pipe. |
| Abstract:
Two irrigation systems including the flooding system and sub-surface system were compared on 24 years old pistachio trees, “Ohadi” cultivar. Flooding system is known as a common and native surface irrigation system and sub-surface system is assumed as a modern and new irrigation system by using the porous pipes in the pistachio plantation areas of Iran. This study was carried out in the experimental pistachio station of Kerman for 4 years from 1999 to 2002. This experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design including 7 treatments and 3 replicates with combination of two irrigation intervals (7 & 14 days) and three water rates according to the pan coefficient (20%, 40% and 60% evaporation from surface of class A pan). The sub-surface irrigation system was applied with 6 treatments and the flooding irrigation system tested as control. The results showed that the sub-surface irrigation system was superior in comparison to flooding irrigation system, as 20-50% of water rates were saved, and the higher yield obtained by treated trees. However, it was found that the application of low water rate (2392m3ha-1) caused some severe water shortage effects on treated pistachio trees, e.g. decline in growth rate, yield and increase of early splits. Finally, it may be concluded that 14 days interval irrigation period is the preferred treatment for pistachio trees. The values of water use efficiency measured in yield were 112 grams for T1 (control), 164, 177 and 227 grams for T3, T5 and T7, respectively of yield when a cubic meter of irrigation was used (14 days interval irrigation). | |
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