Water use, quality and growth as affected by irrigation and/or rootstock
Author: Dr. Essie Fallahi
Published: 2006
Summary: Water usage in all irrigation systems in ‘Fuji’ and ‘Gala’ was higher in 2005 than 2004. Trees used the highest amount of water in July and August in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Trees with FS treatment received significantly greater volume of water than those with drip systems in both 2004-2006. During the entire growing season, total of 5401.2 L and 5832.7 L of water was applied to each tree with FS system while 2403.5 L and 3436.8 L was applied to each tree with full drip system in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Each tree with PRS received more water than those with any type of drip systems in 2004 and more than DD and PRD in 2005. Trees with FS treatment received 846.6 mm and 898.1 mm while those with PRD received 248.9 mm and 350.5 mm of water during the entire 2004 and 2005 growing seasons, respectively with minor or no visible damage to the trees with PRD system. ‘Pacific Gala’ receiving drip irrigation used about 38% less water as compared to those receiving sprinkler system (Table 12 and Figure. 6). Each tree receiving drip used 3872 liters of water whereas each tree receiving sprinkler used 6250 liters of water during 2006 growing season.
