Growth and Production of Young Peach Trees Irrigated by Furrow, Microjet, Surface Drip, or Subsurface Drip Systems

Abstract

<jats:p>A 3-year study was conducted in central California to compare the effects of furrow, microjet, surface drip, and sub surface drip irrigation on vegetative growth and early production of newly planted `Crimson Lady' peach [<jats:italic>Prunus persica</jats:italic> (L.) Batsch] trees. Furrow treatments were irrigated every 7, 14, or 21 days; microjet treatments were irrigated every 2-3, 7, or 14 days; and surface and subsurface drip (with one, two, or three buried laterals per row) treatments were irrigated when accumulated crop evapotranspiration reached 2.5 mm. The overall performance showed that trees irrigated by surface and subsurface drip were significantly larger, produced higher yields, and had higher water use efficiency than trees irrigated by microjets. In fact, more than twice as much water had to be applied to trees with microjets than to trees with drip systems in order to achieve the same amount of vegetative growth and yield. Yield and water use efficiency were also higher under surface and subsurface drip irrigation than under furrow irrigation, although tree size was similar among the treatments. Little difference was found between trees irrigated by surface and subsurface drip, except that trees irrigated with only one subsurface drip lateral were less vigorous, but not less productive, than trees irrigated by one surface drip lateral, or by two or three subsurface drip laterals. Within furrow and microjet treatments, irrigation frequency had little effect on tree development and performance with the exception that furrow irrigation every 3 weeks produced smaller trees than furrow irrigation every 1 or 2 weeks.</jats:p>

Effect of Half and Whole Root Drying on Photosynthesis, Nitrate Concentration, and Nitrate Reductase Activity in Roots and Leaves of Micropropagated Apple Plants

“…Localized irrigation, which includes drip irrigation and micro-sprinkling, is widely used for irrigation management in fruit production throughout the world. The responses of fruit trees to localized irrigation were largely studied in the fi eld, specifically focusing on photosynthesis, vegetative growth, cropping and fruit quality (Bryla et al, 2003;Li et al, 1989;Punthakey, 1984;Zhu et al, 2004). Leaf photosynthesis of fruit trees, such as 'Redchief Delicious' apple (Xu, 1999), was generally higher under localized irrigation than under fl ood irrigation.…”

“…Leaf photosynthesis of fruit trees, such as 'Redchief Delicious' apple (Xu, 1999), was generally higher under localized irrigation than under fl ood irrigation. Stomatal conductance (g s ), transpiration rate (Tr), and vegetative growth decreased signifi cantly under drip irrigation or micro-sprinkling when compared with fl ood irrigation (Bryla et al, 2003;Punthakey, 1984). However, fruit growth rate, size, quantity, and quality do not decrease under localized irrigation, and they may be improved (Davies et al, 2000;Loveys et al, 2000).…”

Performance of Small‐Scale Water Management Interventions on Crop Yield, Water Use and Productivity in Three Agro‐Ecologies of Malawi

“…() showed that water applied by drip was 43–74% of that applied by surface irrigation. Other studies have also shown that drip‐, microsprinkler and well‐controlled surface irrigation systems that allow for good water control and nutrient management improved irrigated crop production and water use efficiency (Bryla et al ., , ; Fandika et al ., ). Therefore, training farmers to treat water as a scarce and valuable resource would be the first step in helping them manage water efficiently.…”

Nutrient Management Options for Florida Citrus: A Review of NPK Application and Analytical Methods

“…Bryla et al (2003; also showed that surface and subsurface drip fertigation increased fruit size and improved marketable yields of peach and reduced the number of nonmarketable fruit by 9% to 22% over more traditional furrow or microspray irrigation methods.…”