Irrigation of ‘Hass’ avocado: effects of constant vs. temporary water stress

Abstract

The main objectives of the present study were to assess the water demand for heavy fruit load of ‘Hass’ avocado throughout the growth periods and to investigate the effects of deficit irrigation during sensitive phenological phases on yield. The experimental set-up allowed the comparison between trees responses to three irrigation strategies during the entire growth period (no water stress; excessive irrigation; constant water stress) as well as the comparison between regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) managements applied during the early or the late growth period. The yield of no water stress treatments during three experimental years was very high (25–31 t ha−1) while the yields of water-stressed trees were significantly lower (16–21 t ha−1). More importantly, the yield of no water stress trees was not susceptible to alternate bearing while the yield of water-stressed trees was considerably reduced during off-crop years. Irrigation rates and the actual evapotranspiration coefficient KL = ET/ET0 for the no water stress treatment may serve as a reasonable guide for irrigation management. Fruit load should be taken into account while planning irrigation and fertilization management and plant-based methods should be used for controlling the irrigation management (scheduling and quantities). Analyses of trunk diameter variation data that lead to evaluation of trunk growth rate and maximum daily shrinkage reflect phenological stages and periodicity of shoot, fruit and root growth, and also may provide an integrative, “holistic viewpoint” of overall tree status.