Irrigation Management Based on Theoretical Requirements Reduces Water Consumption in Apple (<i>Malus domestica</i> Borkh.) Orchards without Effects on Fruit Yield and Components
This research examines the effects of two irrigation strategies on water use efficiency and fruit yield components of ‘Royal Gala’ and ‘Brookfield Gala’ apple orchards in south-central Chile. The study was carried out during the 2008–2009 and 2009–2010 growing seasons at two sites. A randomized bloc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Water |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/21/3441 |
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| author | Sergio Quiroz Eduardo Holzapfel Richard M. Bastías Jorge Jara |
| author_facet | Sergio Quiroz Eduardo Holzapfel Richard M. Bastías Jorge Jara |
| author_sort | Sergio Quiroz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This research examines the effects of two irrigation strategies on water use efficiency and fruit yield components of ‘Royal Gala’ and ‘Brookfield Gala’ apple orchards in south-central Chile. The study was carried out during the 2008–2009 and 2009–2010 growing seasons at two sites. A randomized block experimental design was established with two water application treatments: theoretical volume required by the plant (T1) and farm protocol (T2). Soil water content, plant water potential and yield components were evaluated. The soil water content in T2 was near field capacity while T1 was between the permanent wilting point and field capacity for both seasons and varieties. With T1, the seasonal volume applied was 21 to 28% less compared to T2, with season savings of 1600 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>−1</sup>. No effect on plant water potential was observed. In ‘Royal Gala’ the lower volume applied in T1 did not lead to significant differences in fruit diameter, weight, or yield in either season as compared to T2. In ‘Brookfield Gala’, yield during the 2008–2009 season increased significantly, by 22.9% in treatment T1, and in the 2009–2010 season, significant reductions (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in fruit diameter (5.3%) and weight (12.9%) were observed in T2. Productivity per volume of applied water in T1 was 32% to 56% greater than that obtained with T2. The results show the effectiveness of the irrigation strategy considering the theoretical volume of water required by the plant. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:33:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c772cd79baef4bc69613ef8ff1367b2f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:33:34Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-c772cd79baef4bc69613ef8ff1367b2f2023-11-24T07:19:31ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412022-10-011421344110.3390/w14213441Irrigation Management Based on Theoretical Requirements Reduces Water Consumption in Apple (<i>Malus domestica</i> Borkh.) Orchards without Effects on Fruit Yield and ComponentsSergio Quiroz0Eduardo Holzapfel1Richard M. Bastías2Jorge Jara3Department of Water Resources, School of Agricultural Engineering, University of Concepción, Chillán 3812120, ChileDepartment of Water Resources, School of Agricultural Engineering, University of Concepción, Chillán 3812120, ChileDepartment of Plant Production, School of Agronomy, University of Concepción, Chillán 3812120, ChileDepartment of Water Resources, School of Agricultural Engineering, University of Concepción, Chillán 3812120, ChileThis research examines the effects of two irrigation strategies on water use efficiency and fruit yield components of ‘Royal Gala’ and ‘Brookfield Gala’ apple orchards in south-central Chile. The study was carried out during the 2008–2009 and 2009–2010 growing seasons at two sites. A randomized block experimental design was established with two water application treatments: theoretical volume required by the plant (T1) and farm protocol (T2). Soil water content, plant water potential and yield components were evaluated. The soil water content in T2 was near field capacity while T1 was between the permanent wilting point and field capacity for both seasons and varieties. With T1, the seasonal volume applied was 21 to 28% less compared to T2, with season savings of 1600 m<sup>3</sup> ha<sup>−1</sup>. No effect on plant water potential was observed. In ‘Royal Gala’ the lower volume applied in T1 did not lead to significant differences in fruit diameter, weight, or yield in either season as compared to T2. In ‘Brookfield Gala’, yield during the 2008–2009 season increased significantly, by 22.9% in treatment T1, and in the 2009–2010 season, significant reductions (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in fruit diameter (5.3%) and weight (12.9%) were observed in T2. Productivity per volume of applied water in T1 was 32% to 56% greater than that obtained with T2. The results show the effectiveness of the irrigation strategy considering the theoretical volume of water required by the plant.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/21/3441water requirementswater-use efficiencyleaf water potentialRoyal GalaBrookfield Galasouth-central Chile |
| spellingShingle | Sergio Quiroz Eduardo Holzapfel Richard M. Bastías Jorge Jara Irrigation Management Based on Theoretical Requirements Reduces Water Consumption in Apple (<i>Malus domestica</i> Borkh.) Orchards without Effects on Fruit Yield and Components Water water requirements water-use efficiency leaf water potential Royal Gala Brookfield Gala south-central Chile |
| title | Irrigation Management Based on Theoretical Requirements Reduces Water Consumption in Apple (<i>Malus domestica</i> Borkh.) Orchards without Effects on Fruit Yield and Components |
| title_full | Irrigation Management Based on Theoretical Requirements Reduces Water Consumption in Apple (<i>Malus domestica</i> Borkh.) Orchards without Effects on Fruit Yield and Components |
| title_fullStr | Irrigation Management Based on Theoretical Requirements Reduces Water Consumption in Apple (<i>Malus domestica</i> Borkh.) Orchards without Effects on Fruit Yield and Components |
| title_full_unstemmed | Irrigation Management Based on Theoretical Requirements Reduces Water Consumption in Apple (<i>Malus domestica</i> Borkh.) Orchards without Effects on Fruit Yield and Components |
| title_short | Irrigation Management Based on Theoretical Requirements Reduces Water Consumption in Apple (<i>Malus domestica</i> Borkh.) Orchards without Effects on Fruit Yield and Components |
| title_sort | irrigation management based on theoretical requirements reduces water consumption in apple i malus domestica i borkh orchards without effects on fruit yield and components |
| topic | water requirements water-use efficiency leaf water potential Royal Gala Brookfield Gala south-central Chile |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/21/3441 |
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