scholarly journals Long-term Effects of Restricted Root Volume and Regulated Deficit Irrigation on Peach: II. Productivity and Water Use

2000 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Boland ◽  
P.H. Jerie ◽  
P.D. Mitchell ◽  
I. Goodwin ◽  
D.J. Connor

Individual and interactive effects of restricted root volume (RRV) and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on productivity and water use of peach trees [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch `Golden Queen'] were studied over 3 years (1992-95). Trees were grown in lysimeters of five different soil volumes (0.025, 0.06, 0.15, 0.4, and 1.0 m3) with either full or deficit (RDI) irrigation. In Years 3 and 4, fruit size was reduced by up to 30% on trees in the two smallest volumes. Tree water use was positively related to increasing soil volume (linear, P < 0.001; quadratic, P < 0.011) in all years ranging from 1.8 to 4.4 L·mm-1 Epan in the post-RDI period of Year 2. Water use of deficit-irrigated trees was less than fully irrigated trees and there was an interaction between soil volume and irrigation treatment during RDI. Water relations did not limit growth or productivity. Tree water use was reduced under root restriction as a consequence of canopy demand rather than leaf function. Results suggest that a combination of restricted root volume and development of water stress achieve the RDI response in the Goulburn Valley, Australia.

2000 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Boland ◽  
P.H. Jerie ◽  
P.D. Mitchell ◽  
I. Goodwin ◽  
D.J. Connor

Individual and interactive effects of restricted root volume (RRV) and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on vegetative growth and mineral nutrition of peach trees [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch (Peach Group) `Golden Queen'] were studied over 3 years (1992-95). Trees were grown in lysimeters of five different volumes (0.025, 0.06, 0.15, 0.4, and 1.0 m3) with either full or deficit (RDI) irrigation. Increasing soil volume increased vegetative growth as measured by trunk cross-sectional area (TCA) (linear and quadratic, P < 0.011) and tree weight (linear, P < 0.001) with the final TCA ranging from 29.0 to 51.0 cm2 and tree weight ranging from 7.2 to 12.1 kg for the smallest to largest volumes. Root density measured at the completion of the experiment decreased with increasing soil volume (linear and quadratic, P < 0.001) with root length density declining from 24.0 to 2.0 cm·cm-3. RDI reduced vegetative growth by up to 70% as measured by weight of summer prunings. Root restriction was effective in controlling vegetative vigor and is a viable alternative for control of vegetative growth. Mineral nutrition did not limit tree growth.


1994 ◽  
Vol 119 (6) ◽  
pp. 1157-1162 ◽  
Author(s):  
A-M. Boland ◽  
P.D. Mitchell ◽  
I. Goodwin ◽  
P.H. Jerie

An experiment designed to study the effects of different root volumes was installed in Fall 1991. `Golden Queen' peach trees [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.] were planted into different isolated soil volumes (0.025, 0.06, 0.15, 0.4, and 1.0 m3), which were essentially individual drainage lysimeters. Trunk cross-sectional area (TCA) increased from 5.76 to 14.23 cm2 for the smallest and largest volumes, respectively, while leaf area was 4.56 and 21.32 m2 for the respective treatments. Leaf size was not affected by soil volume. Soil volume was positively related to the number of lateral shoots produced, lateral shoot density, and internode length. Total flower bud number and flower bud density were inversely related to soil volume. Fruit set was similar among treatments despite an almost 4-fold difference in tree size. Tree water use (liters·mm-1 pan evaporation) increased with soil volume; however, when adjusted for tree size (tree water use per TCA), there were no consistent differences between treatments for tree water use over the season. These results suggest that trees planted in the smaller soil volumes were more efficient reproductively per unit of tree size and would be easier to manage in an ultra-high-density planting.


1993 ◽  
Vol 118 (5) ◽  
pp. 580-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Girona ◽  
M. Mata ◽  
D.A. Goldhamer ◽  
R.S. Johnson ◽  
T.M. DeJong

Seasonal patterns of soil water content and diurnal leaf water potential (LWP), stomatal conductance(gs), and net CO2 assimilation (A) were determined in a high-density peach [Prunus persica(L) Batsch cv. Cal Red] subjected to regulated deficit irrigation scheduling. The regulated deficit irrigation treatment caused clear differences in soil water content and predawn LWP relative to control irrigation treatments. Treatment differences in midday LWP, gs, and A were also significant, but not as distinct as differences in predawn LWP. Leaves on trees subject of the deficit irrigation treatment were photosynthetically more water-use-efficient during the latter part of the stress period than were the nonstressed trees. Midday LWP and gs, on trees that received the regulated deficit irrigation treatment did not recover to control treatment values until more than 3 weeks after full irrigation was resumed at the beginning of state III of fruit growth, because of water infiltration problems in the dry soil caused by the deficit irrigation. The regulated deficit irrigation treatment caused only a 8% reduction in trunk growth relative to the control, but resulted in a 40% savings in irrigation requirements.


1993 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Maree Boland ◽  
P. D. Mitchell ◽  
P. H. Jerie ◽  
I. Goodwin

1993 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 799 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Boland ◽  
PD Mitchell ◽  
PH Jerie

TThe effect of four levels of saline irrigation (ECi of 0.1 dS m-l, 0.25 dS m-l, 0.5 dS m-l and 1-0 dS m-l) in conjunction with restricted irrigation volumes was studied in drainage lysimeters over 2 years on peach trees (Prunus persica, L. Batsch), 3-years-old in Year 1. Strong negative linear responses to saline irrigation were measured for growth and final fruit size in Year 2. Leaf chloride increased over time and with treatment levels, reaching a maximum of 3.0% for the 1.0 dS m-l treatment at harvest in Year 2. Root weighted soil Na and Cl levels increased with increasing irrigation salinity. Both Na and C1 levels in fruit and wood were increased by saline irrigation. Photosynthesis was reduced at the high ECi level consistent with decreased conductance and likely C1 toxicity. Saline irrigation reduced tree water use (TWU). Leaf chloride was determined to be a good indicator of salinity level and expected yield reduction. The need for leaching and modification of current Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI) management is proposed.


2022 ◽  
Vol 260 ◽  
pp. 107280
Author(s):  
B.C. Léllis ◽  
A. Martínez-Romero ◽  
R.C. Schwartz ◽  
J.J. Pardo ◽  
J.M. Tarjuelo ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 228 ◽  
pp. 105925 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.J. Pardo ◽  
A. Martínez-Romero ◽  
B.C. Léllis ◽  
J.M. Tarjuelo ◽  
A. Domínguez

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Sotiropoulos ◽  
Dimitrios Kalfountzos ◽  
Ioannis Aleksiou ◽  
Spyros Kotsopoulos ◽  
Nikolaos Koutinas

Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) involves inducing water stress during specific fruit growth phases by irrigating at less than full evapotranspiration. The objectives of this research were to study the effects of RDI perfomed at stage II of fruit growth and postharvest, on productivity of clingstone peaches, fruit quality as well as photosynthetic rate and midday leaf water potential. The research was conducted in a commercial clingstone peach (Prunus persica L. Batch cv. A-37) orchard in Greece. Trees were irrigated by means of microsprinklers and their frequency was determined using local meteorological station data and the FAO 56 Pennman-Monteith method. Photosynthetic rate was measured by a portable infrared gas analyzer. Midday leaf water potential was measured by the pressure chamber technique. During the years 2005 and 2006, the treatment RDII with irrigation applied at growth stage II of the peach tree did not affect productivity, fresh and dry mass of fruits. RDII reduced preharvest fruit drop in comparison to the control. RDII as well as the combined treatment RDII plus RDIP with irrigation applied at postharvest, at both years reduced shoot length of the vigorous shoots inside the canopy. RDII in comparison to the control increased the soluble solids content of the fruits and the ratio soluble solids/acidity. However it did not affect fruit acidity and fruit firmness. RDII as well as RDII plus RDIP in 2006 increased 'double' fruits and fruits with open cavity in comparison to the control and RDIP. Water savings were considerable and associated with the climatic conditions of each year.


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