Abstract
Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) is one of deficit irrigation (DI) techniques and it is developed to minimize irrigation inputs in fruit production, especially in areas where water resources are limited, is recommended for saving irrigation water in agriculture. This study was conducted to determine the effects of deficit irrigation treatments applied in different growth periods on plant water consumption, water yield relations, stomatal conductance and yield of Braeburn apple variety (grafted on M9 rootstock). Experiments were conducted in the years 2010, 2011, and 2012 at Fruit Research Institute, Eğirdir, Isparta, Turkey. Six different irrigation treatments were applied as I1; non-deficit irrigation program, I2; continuous deficit irrigation program (CDI), I3; deficit irrigation program between the 40th and 70th days after full bloom (DAFB), I4; deficit irrigation program between the 70th and 100th DAFB, I5; deficit irrigation program between the 100th and 130th DAFB and I6; deficit irrigation program between the 130th and 160th DAFB. The highest yield (55.2, 54.1 and 63.8 t ha-1 in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively) and water use efficiency (WUE) (0.130, 0.129 and 0.137 t ha-1 mm-1 in 2010, 2011 and 2012) values were obtained from I3 treatment in all short-term deficit irrigation treatments. The stomatal conductance values decreased during the short-term deficit irrigation treatments, but the values increased following the deficit irrigation periods. The results revealed that apple trees grafted on M9 rootstock were influenced by short-term water stress, but they were able to cope with stress after the deficit periods. In all deficit irrigation treatments, yield response factor (Ky) ranged from 0.77 to 2.11 Apple tree yield was less sensitive to water deficit in I3 compared to other treatments. Therefore I3 treatment was found to be applicable in case of scarce water resources since it ensured water saving.
Highlights
Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) is one of deficit irrigation (DI) techniques and it is developed to minimize irrigation inputs in fruit production, especially in areas where water resources are limited, is recommended for saving irrigation water in agriculture
The Braeburn apple trees grafted on M9 rootstock and planted in the year 2000 were used as the plant material
The irrigation water compensated the plant water consumption in all treatments until the 72nd days after full bloom (DAFB), and the soil moisture in the effective root zone started to decrease due to increasing air temperature (July and August) and rapid fruit development period (Stage II) (Atay 2007)
Summary
Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) is one of deficit irrigation (DI) techniques and it is developed to minimize irrigation inputs in fruit production, especially in areas where water resources are limited, is recommended for saving irrigation water in agriculture. The highest evapotranspiration rates occur during the dry seasons in Mediterranean areas (especially in summer months), it caused severe water deficit conditions During those months crop irrigation becomes critical for those reasons (Lo Bianco et al 2012). RDI is a technique that is developed to minimize irrigation inputs, especially in areas where water resources is limited (Talluto et al 2008). ; 1) to develop deficit irrigation scheduling in order to save water against water deficit in growing seasons because of the decrease in available water resources, 2) to determine the most suitable treatment
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