ALTERNATIVE IRRIGATION STRATEGIES IN APPLE ORCHARDS [VYUŽITÍ ALTERNATIVNÍCH ZÁVLAHOVÝCH STRATEGIÍ PŘI PĚSTOVÁNÍ JABLONÍ]

Abstract

For ensuring a sustainable production of high-quality fruits, the fruit growing systems needs to adapt for climate change. Different irrigation strategies and their potential advantages for improving apple tree production of cultivar ‘Red Jonaprince’ in conditions of temperate climate were tested. The water regimes of the orchard were analysed through evapotranspiration balance and soil moisture. In apple trees, total growth, flowering intensity, total yield and yield in different fruit size classes including the crop load were evaluated. The results of the study confirm the need for supplementary irrigation of the trees, especially in years with high yields and evapotranspiration. Considering the lower susceptibility to drought of triploid apple tree cultivars, 50 % coverage of evapotranspiration helps to maintain their water needs throughout the vegetation season irrespectively to used irrigation strategy. However, the soil moisture should not fall under 50% of available soil water capacity. Optimal crop load of the cultivar should be with 3,2 m high crowns between 160–180 fruits per tree allowing with plant distance of 3,5×1,2 m production of 70–80 t/ha.

Keywords

• malus
• efficient irrigation
• irrigation regime
• irrigation need
• specific yield
• tree fruit load