INFLUENCE OF IRRIGATION TREATMENTS ON PEACH GROWTH AND YIELD

Abstract

Irrigation schedules were evaluated on `Cresthaven' to determine if water could be conserved without reducing fruit size or yield. Tensiometers were used to schedule trickle irrigation in 1984-88. Treatments were no irrigation or irrigation when soil matric potential reached 40 or 60 KPa 30 cm deep. When production began in 1986, trees were either irrigated until Oct. or until after harvest (1-7 Aug.). In 1989, class A pan evaporation was used to schedule irrigation by replacing 100% evaporation. Trees were irrigated from bud break to harvest or Oct., beginning at stage III fruit growth to harvest or Oct., or not irrigated. The irrigation treatments were in factorial combination with an annual ryegrass ground cover or herbicidestrip. The ryegrass was seeded in Oct., then killed at the onset of stage III fruit growth. Water application was reduced 50% when irrigation was discontinued after harvest compared to irrigation until Oct. Non-irrigated trees had smaller trunks than irrigated trees; however, there were no differences in trunk size among irrigation treatments. Non-irrigated trees yielded less total fruit and fruit over 7-cm diameter than trees irrigated until Oct., but there were no significant differences in yield among irrigated trees. Flower bud density or fruit set was not affected by treatment. The orchard floor management did not affect tree growth or yield.