The effect of grafting on nitrogen use in determinate field-grown tomatoes

Grafting tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) onto disease resistant rootstocks has grown in use in North America over the past two decades. Rootstocks have traditionally been bred and used for their resistance packages to numerous soil-borne diseases but some rootstocks appear to improve scion yield and vigour in comparison to non-grafted plants in conditions lacking disease challenge. In this study, the tomato rootstocks ‘Maxifort’ or ‘RST-106’ were used to determine if vigour improved ‘Tribute’ scion traits, especially yield, and if marketable yield could be maintained in grafted plants at reduced nitrogen fertiliser inputs. Plants were grown in an open-field plasticulture production system at five rates of nitrogen from 0 kg ha^?1 to 224 kg ha^?1 applied via drip irrigation. Marketable yield was significantly affected by nitrogen rate and rootstock in both years. ‘Tribute’ grafted onto ‘Maxifort’ rootstock had the greatest, most consistent impact and increased marketable yield 15% and 30% in 2013 and 2014, respectively, compared to the non-grafted ‘Tribute’. Our findings suggest that some rootstocks can increase scion growth and yield but do not differentially respond to decreased nitrogen rates.     

Estimation of the Colour Properties of Apples Varieties Using Neural Network

The consumer acceptance and the quality standard of agricultural products such as apple are determined mostly by their colour. Colour is measured with a colorimeter and quantified using the C.I.E. L^*, a^*, b^* colour space system. It is used commonly by researchers for the classification and identification of apple fruit. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first study investigating the prediction of some colour properties of six apple varieties through artificial neural networks (ANN). The apple varieties are ‘Amasya’, ‘Starking’, ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Pink Lady’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Arapk?z?’ and the colour properties are L^* (lightness), a^* (redness), b^* (yellowness), C^* (chroma), h^* (hue angle), CI (chroma index). General Regression Neural Networks (GRNN) and Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Interface System (ANFIS) structures were employed to predict the colour properties. According to the experimental and simulation results, the proposed ANFIS predictor had a superior performance in prediction of these colour parameters.     

Einfluss schwach wachsender Apfelunterlagen auf Wachstum, Ertrag und Fruchtgröße verschiedener Sorten – Teil II: ‘Boskoop’

From 2001 to 2005 the influence of the dwarfed apple rootstocks M 9 (clone: Burgmer 984), Fleuren 56, Supporter 1, P 16, P 22, J-TE-F, J-TE-E and M 27 on growth, yield and fruit size of the apple variety ‘Boskoop, Herr’ was investigated on the locations Auweiler, Dresden-Pillnitz, Osnabrück and Wurzen in Germany. All rootstocks induced a less vegetative growth as the rootstock M 9. In comparison with M 9 the crown volume of the trees ranged from 93% (Supporter 1) to 48% (P 22). The highest yield potential showed the rootstock P 16. Her specific yield (kg/m³) was 41% higher than the specific yield of M 9. J-TE-F produced the lowest specific yield.     

Interaction of Crop Load and Irrigation on Yield,Fruit Size,Color and Stem-end Splitting Ratio of Apple c.v. ‘Gala,Galaxy’

In this study, the interaction between crop load and irrigation level on yield, fruit size, skin color and stem-end splitting fruit ratio in the apple cultivar ‘Gala, Galaxy’ grafted on rootstock M9 were investigated. Six irrigation programs were applied during the whole growth season: deficit irrigation (rates of 0.25 kc, 0.50 kc, 0.75 kc), full irrigation (rate of 1.00 kc), excess irrigation (rate of 1.25 kc) and non-irrigation (rates of 0.00 kc of “Class A” pan evaporation coefficient). Four crop loads in each irrigation application were performed by hand thinning after the June drop as a- a low crop load (3 fruits cm^?2 TCA), b- a medium crop load (5 fruits cm^?2 TCA), c- a heavy crop load (7 fruits cm^?2 TCA), and d- an un-thinned crop load (>?7 fruits cm^?2 TCA). The total tree yield increased with crop load and irrigation levels. Fruit size was significantly increased by the low crop load. Irrigation increased the fruit size compared to non-irrigation treatment. Further 0.75 kc, 1.00 kc and 1.25 kc irrigation treatments significantly increased the fruit length. Irrigation reduced the fruit flesh firmness. While the low crop load increased the skin red color, it decreased the fruit skin brightness. The yellowness of skin decreased with increasing in the irrigation amount. Irrigation reduced the skin brightness and yellowness, but it increased red color. Crop load and irrigation significantly affected the stem-end splitting fruit ratio. While the splitting fruit ratio increased with a decrease in the crop load, it decreased with an increase in irrigation amount, relatively. Consequently, the low and medium crop load treatments would be beneficial to increase the ratio of marketable fruits without any significant losses in yield for ‘Gala’ apple, especially under 0.75 kc deficit irrigation treatment.     

Einfluss schwach wachsender Apfelunterlagen auf Wachstum, Ertrag und Fruchtgröße verschiedener Sorten – Teil I: ‘Elstar’

From 2001 to 2005 the influence of the dwarfed apple rootstocks M 9 (clone: Burgmer 984), Fleuren 56, Supporter 1, P 16, P 22, J-TE-F, J-TE-E and M 27 on growth, yield and fruit size of the apple variety ‘Elstar, Elshof’ was investigated on the locations Auweiler, Dresden-Pillnitz, Osnabrück and Wurzen in Germany. All rootstocks induced a less vegetative growth as the rootstock M 9. In comparison with M 9 the crown volume of the trees ranged from 89 (Supporter 1) to 51% (M 27). The highest yield potential showed the rootstock P 16. Her specific yield (kg/m³) was 17% higher than the specific yield of M 9. A higher specific yield and a higher individual fruit size as M 9 only produced the M 9 clonal selection Fleuren 56. J-TE-E produced the lowest specific yield.     

中熟优质长豇豆新品种‘鄂豇豆12’

‘鄂豇豆12’是经有性杂交系谱选育出的优质高产中熟蔓生长豇豆新品种。荚绿色,有红嘴,长圆条形,平均荚长68.4 cm,单荚质量24.3 g;持续结荚能力强,产量达27 000 kg · hm-2。适宜于湖北大部分地区春、夏、秋季栽培。     

Einfluss schwach wachsender Apfelunterlagen auf Wachstum,Ertrag und Fruchtgröße verschiedener Sorten – Teil IV: Abschließende Bewertung

From 2001 to 2005 the influence of the dwarfed apple rootstocks M?9 (clone: Burgmer 984), Fleuren 56, Supporter 1, P?16, P?22, J-TE-F, J-TE-E and M?27 on growth, yield and fruit size of the apple varieties ‘Elstar, Elshof’, ‘Boskoop, Herr’ and ‘Jonagored’ was investigated on the locations Auweiler, Dresden-Pillnitz, Osnabrück and Wurzen in Germany.All rootstocks induced a less vegetative growth as the rootstock M?9. In comparison with M?9 the crown volume of the trees ranged from 92% (Supporter 1) to 52% (M?27). The highest yield potential showed the rootstock P?16. Her specific yield (kg/m³) was 17% higher than the specific yield of M?9. All rootstocks produced a lower individual fruit size as M?9. J-TE-E and J-TE-F produced the lowest specific yield.     

Conditioning alleviates reduced yield of smaller plugs of ‘Albion’ strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa Duch.) in off-season plasticulture production

The influences of plug size, planting density, and mulch colour on responses to photoperiod and nitrogen conditioning of ‘Albion’ strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) plants were evaluated in off-season field production in New Jersey, USA. Three different sized plug plants (7.6 cm square pots, 24-cell plug trays, or 50-cell plug trays) were conditioned with natural days (ND, natural daylength) or long days (LD, natural daylength supplemented with 24 h incandescent radiation) for one week followed by ND plus 100 ppm nitrogen (N) for 4 weeks or LD plus 800 ppm N for 4 weeks. Plants were then established in plasticulture on black, white, or silver mulch. In a second experiment, plug plants (439 cm³) were conditioned with LD and nitrogen then established in plasticulture on black, white, or silver mulch at 3 planting densities (0.46, 0.23, and 0.16 m²?plant^?1 (2, 4, and 6 plants?m^?2)). Fruit were harvested from August through October in both experiments. Conditioning enhanced off-season fall production. White plastic enhanced survival, productivity, and fruit size and larger plugs were more productive than smaller ones. If smaller plugs are desired, conditioning prevents the reduction in yield observed with non-conditioned smaller plugs.     

Differentiating anthropogenic modification and precipitation-driven change on vegetation productivity on the Mongolian Plateau

Context

The Mongolian Plateau, comprising Inner Mongolia, China (IM) and Mongolia (MG) is undergoing consistent warming and accelerated land cover/land use change. Extensive modifications of water-limited regions can alter ecosystem function and processes; hence, it is important to differentiate the impacts of human activities and precipitation dynamics on vegetation productivity.

Objectives

This study distinguished between human-induced and precipitation-driven changes in vegetation cover on the plateau across biome, vegetation type and administrative divisions.

Methods

Non-parametric trend tests were applied to the time series of vegetation indices (VI) derived from MODIS and AVHRR and precipitation from TRMM and MERRA reanalysis data. VI residuals adjusted for rainfall were obtained from the regression between growing season maximum VI and monthly accumulated rainfall (June–August) and were used to detect human-induced trends in vegetation productivity during 1981–2010. The total livestock and population density trends were identified and then used to explain the VI residual trends.

Results

The slope of precipitation-adjusted EVI and EVI2 residuals were negatively correlated to total livestock density (R² = 0.59 and 0.16, p < 0.05) in MG and positively correlated with total population density (R² = 0.31, p < 0.05) in IM. The slope of precipitation-adjusted EVI and EVI2 residuals were also negatively correlated with goat density (R² = 0.59 and 0.19, p < 0.05) and sheep density in MG (R² = 0.59 and 0.13, p < 0.05) but not in IM.

Conclusions

Some administrative subdivisions in IM and MG showed decreasing trends in VI residuals. These trends could be attributed to increasing livestock or population density and changes in livestock herd composition. Other subdivisions showed increasing trends residuals, suggesting that the vegetation cover increase could be attributed to conservation efforts.

     

Investigating Root Density of Plum and Apple Trees Grafted on Low-Vigor Rootstocks to Improve Orchard Management

Plum and apple trees are the most widely spread fruit trees in south-eastern Europe. The main purpose of this paper is to characterize the spatial distribution of roots in medium and course textured soils to improve orchard management. ’Stanley’ plum cultivar grafted on Saint Julien A semi-dwarf rootstock and ’Topaz’ apple cultivar grafted on M.9 dwarf rootstock were studied in a temperate climate and medium and course textured soils. The trench technique was used. There was an intense concentration of roots near the trees and the roots did not occupy the whole soil space between tree rows. The finest tree roots in both species were prevalent. Root density was higher in tree rows versus inter-rows. Both the inter-row and in-row distances can be reduced to increase tree density if light penetration into canopy is sufficient. When a full irrigation regime is applied, a soil depth of 0.8?m would be sufficient for water application, and soil depths of 0.4 to 0.6?m would be recommended for deficit irrigation; water and fertilizers should only be applied over the surface area covering most of the roots. When a more strict control on root activity is desired, the tree roots could be cut vertically at 0.5–0.8?m distance from tree rows. The results could also be used in regions and countries with similar soil texture and climate conditions.     

Evaluation of genetic diversity among some Iranian wild asparagus populations using morphological characteristics and RAPD markers

An evaluation of genetic diversity in 39 wild asparagus populations was carried out using morphological and RAPD markers. A combination of morphological traits and random RAPD primers was used to examine the level of genetic variation and polymorphisms among the populations. A factor analysis using Ward's method on mean values of morphological characteristics indicated seven main factors resulting in four groups. Analysis of polymorphic bands using Jaccard's similarity coefficient indicated that genetic similarity ranged between 0.71 and 0.29. At a similarity level of 0.64, the populations were divided in three sub-clusters, containing 34, four and one populations, respectively. Significant regression associations were found between 21 morphological characteristics and 18 RAPD markers, revealing some informative markers associated with some traits. The highest R² was related to 18 RAPD markers associated with gender (53.5%) that among them BA-04₂₀₀₀ had a maximum R². The results showed that Iranian wild asparagus with its high levels of genetic variation could be considered as a valuable gene pool for future asparagus breeding programs. Furthermore, it could be inferred that morphological characteristics and RAPD markers are suitable tools to discriminate asparagus populations for the evaluation of genetic diversity.     

Yield,dry matter and polysaccharides content of the mushroom Agaricus blazei produced on asparagus straw substrate

The aim of this work is to evaluate the potential of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) straw as a raw material for cultivating Agaricus blazei Murrill (ABM). On non-supplemented asparagus straw substrate, the yield and biological efficiency (BE) of ABM were respectively 6.7 kg/m² and 30.2%. Addition of appropriate amounts of cottonseed hull or cow manure to the substrate increased the mushroom yield significantly. The mushroom yield on asparagus straw + cottonseed hull substrate was higher than that on asparagus straw + cow manure substrate. Maximum mushroom yield (9.8 kg/m²) and BE (44.1%) were obtained on the substrate consisting of asparagus straw (600 kg) and cottonseed hull (300 kg). No significant differences were found in either the dry matter contents or the polysaccharides contents of fruit bodies among the treatments.     

Fertigation Effects on Productivity,and Soil and Plant Nutrition of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains of South Asia

Fertigation has the potential to reduce extra chemical load by improving nutrient and water use efficiency of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), but studies demonstrating the fertilizer reduction through drip irrigation in comparison to conventional ring basin method are rare in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) of South Asia. A long-term field experiment was conducted during 2007–2013 in West Bengal, India, to study the effect of fertigation on coconut var. DXT. The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with six treatments (control – no fertilizers and water applied with drip irrigation; 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), each applied with drip irrigation; and 100% of the RDF and water applied with ring basin method of irrigation (i.e., conventional method)). Nuts yield was significantly higher for 75% of RDF (24.44 t ha^?1 year^?1) followed by 100% of RDF, each drip irrigation (23.79 t ha^?1 year^?1) compared to control (21.89 t ha^?1 year^?1). Copra yield was significantly higher for 75% of RDF (3.19 t ha^?1) compared to 100% of RDF (3.12 t ha^?1) and no fertilizer (1.87 t ha^?1). Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents of soil increased by 4.9%, 10.4% and 9.4%, respectively, with 75% of RDF applied through drip irrigation. Microbial population showed inverse relationship with amount of fertilizer application. The most water-use efficient fertigation treatment was 75% RDF (13.48 kg copra m^?3) followed by 100% RDF (13.18 kg copra m^?3) with drip irrigation as compared to conventional way soil application of fertilizers through ring basin method of irrigation (4.23 kg copra m^?3). Role of N on yield variability was most prominent by both available soil N status (R² = 0.49**) and leaf N concentration (R² = 0.51**). The study indicated that there is a great scope for reducing the N, P and K fertilizers by up to 25% of the present RDFs for coconut when applied through drip irrigation compared to ring basin method of irrigation for its higher productivity and profitability through efficient use of nutrients and water in the Eastern IGP of South Asia.     

Einfluss schwach wachsender Apfelunterlagen auf Wachstum, Ertrag und Fruchtgröße verschiedener Sorten – Teil III: ‘Jonagored’

From 2001 to 2005 the influence of the dwarfed apple rootstocks M 9 (clone: Burgmer 984), Fleuren 56, Supporter 1, P 16, P 22, J-TE-F, J-TE-E and M 27 on growth, yield and fruit size of the apple variety ‘Jonagored’ was investigated on the locations Auweiler, Dresden-Pillnitz, Osnabrück and Wurzen in Germany. All rootstocks induced a less vegetative growth as the rootstock M 9. In comparison with M 9 the crown volume of the trees ranged from 91% (Supporter 1) to 57% (M 27). The highest yield potential showed the rootstocks P 16 and M 9. The specific yield (kg/m³) of P 16 was 2% higher than the specific yield of M 9. J-TE-F produced the lowest specific yield.     

Growth,yield and fruit quality of ‘Van’ and ‘Stark Hardy Giant’ sweet cherry cultivars as influenced by grafting on different rootstocks

The influence of Adara, CAB 6P, Gisela 5, MaxMa 14, Saint Lucie GF 64 (SL 64), Saint Lucie GF 405 (SL 405), and Tabel rootstocks onto vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of ‘Van’ and ‘Stark Hardy Giant’ (SHG) sweet cherry cultivars was studied during 10 years after grafting. The experiment was performed in the Ebro Valley (Zaragoza, Spain), on a heavy and calcareous soil. Significant differences in some of these parameters such as vigour, yield, fruit size, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), skin colour and fruit firmness were examined among rootstocks. In general, the highest vigour, annual and cumulative yield were induced by Adara rootstock, whereas Gisela 5 induced the lowest when grafted with both cultivars. The highest yield efficiency was induced by Gisela 5 due to its low trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), together with Adara, CAB 6P and Tabel for ‘SHG’ cultivar. Regarding fruit quality, Adara, CAB 6P and MaxMa 14 showed, in general, the highest fruit weight and the more attractive skin colour for both sweet cherry cultivars. Furthermore, the high yield shown by Adara did not significantly affect its fruit size. Cherries of trees grafted on Adara also showed high firmness, which implies a better resistance to post-harvest damage. CAB 6P showed a tendency to induce higher TA. Despite the higher firmness of fruits on Gisela 5 and its tendency to induce higher SSC and ripening index, the smaller size fruits together with the less attractive skin colour resulted in a non-interesting rootstock in terms of fruit quality for our growing conditions. Interesting correlations were found among quality parameters, such as the positive correlation showed by SSC with fruit weight and TA. The work demonstrates that the scion–rootstock combination influences some important sweet cherry attributes such as vigour, yield, fruit size, acidity, skin colour and firmness.     

芦笋新品种‘冠军’

 ‘冠军’芦笋是从‘阿波罗’优选雌株系与‘荷兰全雄’的优选株系杂交后代中选育出的一代杂种。生育期260 d,植株生长旺盛,平均茎高220 cm。白笋种植色泽洁白,绿笋种植整体色泽浓绿。笋条直,粗细均匀,质地细嫩,包头紧密,不散头,无空心,无畸形。一级笋率92.6%,平均产量22 500 kg · hm^-2。抗茎枯病,适宜白笋、绿笋栽培。     

Nicht-destruktive Bestimmung der Beduftung bzw. des Duftfilmes bei Pflaumen

During their ontogeny, a range of fruits develop a semi-transparent white coating on their surface, designated as wax bloom. This wax bloom was examined non-destructively on plums of different colour i.e. blue mature European plum, yellow mirabelle and greengage using a colourimeter and an industrial luster sensor at 15 mm distance from the fruit surface; the results are displayed as ‘luster levels’. European plums contained 175–205 µg epicuticular wax cm^?2 fruit surface with linoleic and ursolic acid as predominant fatty acids. The microscopic examination identified the epicuticular fine structure of the fruit surface as platelets viz with natural wax. Polishing with a soft tissue disturbed this fine structure and doubled the luster levels relative to the natural surface from 120–170 to 300–500 arbitrary units. This is related to wax re-distribution and restructuring rather than loss of epicuticular wax. Polishing increased the a value marginally from 2.35 to 2.85, whereas the b values almost tripled from ? 14 to ? 5, representing a more intense blue impression after polishing. This luster or glossiness measurement enables a clear identification of the natural wax coating versus a polished fruit surface irrespective of the respective fruit colour, i.e. blue plum, yellow mirabelle or greengage and hence seems more suitable than colour measurement. It hence seems plausible that fruit with a similar natural wax bloom like grape berry or blueberry etc. might respond similarly and could be used as a hand-hand device or on a sorting line for fast, online and affordable detection of the glossiness of a commodity.     

Energy Analysis and Emissions of Greenhouse Gases of Pomegranate Production in Antalya Province of Turkey

In this study, energy use patterns and the functional relationship between energy inputs and output for pomegranate production were investigated in Antalya province in Turkey. It further objective to identify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in pomegranate production. Data were obtained from 75 farms using face-to-face interview method. The results indicated that 50,605.5?MJ ? ha^?1 of total energy input was required for 76,252.3?MG ? ha^?1 pomegranate energy output. 1.51 unit energy output was provided by using 1 unit energy input. 1 unit energy output and 1?kg pomegranate require 0.66 unit and 2.57?MJ energy input, respectively. The average CO₂ emission amounts were also calculated to be 1.73?t CO₂ per hectare and 88.1?kg CO₂ per 1000?kg pomegranate production. Electricity, fertilizers and pesticides were the highest contributors to GHG emissions. Both total energy input usage and GHG emission amounts have been found to be decreasing as the farm size increases. Increasing scale of pomegranates orchards will not only increase energy efficiency and productivity but also decrease environmental pollution and damages. The regression analysis revealed that, excessive use of machinery and fuel inputs results in a decline in energy production in pomegranate.     

The Response of Soilless Grown ‘Michele Palieri’ (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> L.) Grapevine Cultivar to Deficit Irrigation Under the Effects of Different Rootstocks

Global warming, altering the physiology and irrigation demand of grapevines, has already been perceived in certain premium viticulture regions across the world. Selection of proper rootstocks for especially new cultivars has vital role for a sustainable viticulture under water-deficit conditions. The grapevine cultivar ‘Michele Palieri’ has been finding a good reception on the global markets. The objective of this study was to determine the response of ‘Michele Palieri’ cultivar to deficit irrigation using different rootstocks with distinct genetic origins. Two irrigation regimes (Full Irrigation [FI] and Deficit Irrigation [DI]) were applied to the vines of different grafting combinations of ‘Michele Palieri’ with Kober 5 BB, Richter 99, Richter 110, 140 Ruggeri, 44–53 Malégue or grown on own roots. Two years old vines were cultivated in 60?L pots containing sterile peat under controlled glasshouse conditions. Irrigations were regulated according to soil water matric potential (Ψm) levels using tensiometers. The volume of the irrigation water that has to be applied to attain 100% field capacity was performed as FI, while 50% of FI was considered as DI. The water was transported directly into the pots by micro-irrigation systems consisting of individual spaghetti tubes. The vines of DI treatment showed visible symptoms of mild water stress (e.?g., loss of turgor in shoot tips), but no defoliation or leaf necrosis occurred. DI treatment reduced the gs of ‘Michele Palieri’ scion cultivar in varying levels depending on the rootstock. DI treatment also affected vegetative growth of the scion cultivar in different levels. For example, the greatest decrease (26.7%) in shoot length resulting from DI was determined in ‘Michele Palieri’/5 BB grapevines, followed by own rooted vines (13.1%), while the lowest change (2.4%) was found in vines grafted on 110?R. Overall findings of this study imply that the rootstocks originating from V. berlandiery?×?V. rupestris hybrids (110?R, 99?R, 140?Ru and 44–53?M) better performed in a similar genetic aptitude under deficit irrigation regime while the rootstock 5 BB (V. berlandiery?×?V. rupestris) showed more susceptible responses. On the other hand, the general response of own rooted vines were better than those grafted on 5 BB. Therefore, the use of one of V. berlandiery?×?V. rupestris hybrids may be a better choice for viticulture under semiarid regions.     

Yield and Quality Response of Young ‘Gala,Galaxy’ Trees under Different Irrigation Regimes

This study was conducted in 2007–2008 to determine the effects of different irrigation regimes on yield, quality and water-yield relationships of young dwarf ‘Gala, Galaxy’ apple trees in Isparta-Turkey. Irrigation water was applied based on a ratio of class A pan evaporation (rates of 0.0 (k_cp0), 0.25 (k_cp1), 0.50 (k_cp2), 0.75 c (k_cp3), 1.00 (k_cp4) and 1.25 (k_cp5)) with 5-day intervals. The effects of irrigation regimes on yield and fruit weight were statistically significant. Seasonal evapotranspiration was measured as 246.5–608.2 mm and 289.3–631.9 mm in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Water use efficiency lead to a yield ranging from 0.0023 to 0.0055 t ha^?1mm^?1 and from 0.0033 to 0.0111 t ha^?1mm^?1 and irrigation water use efficiency varies from 0.0009 to 0.0073 t ha^?1mm^?1 and from 0.0045 to 0.0186 t ha^?1mm^?1 in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The annual average yield response factor, ky, was 1.22. As a result of the research, it was concluded that the irrigation schedule for the 0.75 k_cp3 treatment, applying 0.75 of evaporation from class A pan, could be used in the irrigation of young dwarf apple trees without evident reduction in yield and that high water use efficiencies could be obtained.