Influence of Irrigation Method and Scheduling on Patterns of Soil and Tree Water Status and Its Relation to Yield and Fruit Quality in Peach

Abstract

<jats:p>A 3-year study was done to determine the effects of furrow, microspray, surface drip, and subsurface drip irrigation on production and fruit quality in mature `Crimson Lady' peach [<jats:italic>Prunus persica</jats:italic> (L.) Batsch] trees. Furrow and microspray irrigations were scheduled weekly or biweekly, which is common practice in central California, while surface and subsurface drip irrigations were scheduled daily. Trees were maintained at similar water potentials following irrigation by adjusting water applications as needed. Tree size and fruit number were normalized among treatments by pruning and thinning each season. Surface and subsurface drip produced the largest fruit on average and the highest marketable yields among treatments. Drip benefits appeared most related to the ability to apply frequent irrigations. Whether water was applied above or below ground, daily irrigations by drip maintained higher soil water content within the root zone and prevented cycles of water stress found between less-frequent furrow and microspray irrigations. With furrow and microsprays, midday tree water potentials reached as low as –1.4 MPa between weekly irrigations and –1.8 MPa between biweekly irrigations, which likely accounted for smaller fruit and lower yields in these treatments. To reduce water stress, more frequent irrigation is probably impractical with furrow systems but is recommended when irrigating during peak water demands by microspray.</jats:p>

Implications of Irrigation Method and Amount of Water Application on Phytophthora and Pythium Infection and Severity of Root Rot in Highbush Blueberry

“…1). Drip is well known to maintain higher soil water availability within the root zone than other methods of irrigation (Kruse et al, 1990), thereby reducing water stress between irrigations and increasing plant growth and production (e.g., see Bryla et al, 2005); however, growth and production may be inhibited if saturated soil conditions persist (Davies and Wilcox, 1984). Soil was often saturated and exceeded field capacity (i.e., greater than 30% soil water content) in our study when irrigation was applied at 100% to 150% ET c by drip and 150% ET c by sprinklers and microsprays.…”

Climate Change Impacts on Pinus pinea L. Silvicultural System for Cone Production and Ways to Contour Those Impacts: A Review Complemented with Data from Permanent Plots

“…Fallahi et al [149] concluded that water application through a drip system, calculated based on full ETc rate and adjusted for groundcover, results in major water saving and often improves yield and fruit quality when compared with full microjet sprinklers, achieving a water consumption reduction of about 1/3. Bryla et al [150] concluded that the most effective irrigation methods for increasing peach production are surface and subsurface drips. Through three growing seasons, these two methods increased the average fruit size, reduced the number of nonmarketable fruits, and improved the marketable yield by 9% to 22% over more traditional furrow or microspray irrigation methods.…”

Techno‐economic Evaluation of Integrating Canal Water Harvesting and Drip Irrigation for Pomegranate Production in a Dry Eco‐region

“…Bryla et al . () also reported a reduction in yield of peach under flood irrigation. Variations in fruit yield could be attributed to better growth, flowering and fruit setting under the drip irrigation system.…”