Effects of Water Deficit and Application Method, on Drip Irrigated Peach

Abstract

SUMMARYA 2-year study was conducted to determine the effects of different drip irrigation profiles on the yield quantity and quality of mature peach trees [Prunus persica L.]. The irrigation profiles were the combination of emitter location (ground drip or subsurface buried @15cm), emission rate (conventional 4.0 L h -1 or low-flow 0.5 L h -1 ), and water deficiency level (60%, 80%, 100% of ET). The results showed that yield and water use efficiency (WUE) were not affected by the irrigation profiles, while there were some reduction in the yield and improvement in WUE due to water 60% ET deficiency application. On the other hand, some of the fruit quality measures (Total sugars, and maturity index) were affected by the irrigation profile as the low-flow profiles yielded sweeter and more matured fruits. Moreover, the study involved water and salt measurements under each irrigation profile, the conventional drip rate showed more-efficient salt flushing, while the low-flow profiles showed wider lateral movement of water. The best overall treatment under average conditions was the low-flow ground drip with 80% of ET.