Effects of water and nitrogen conditions under surge-root irrigation on growth and yield of apple trees

In order to explore the effects of different irrigation and nitrogen application on growth cha-racteristics and yield of apple trees under surge-root irrigation in mountainous areas of northern Shaanxi, field experiments were carried out with different apple trees. Three irrigation levels were applied: 85%-100%(H1), 70%-85%(H2)and 55%-70%(H3)of the field water capacity, respectively, and three nitrogen levels were N1(360 g/plant), N2(240 g/plant)and N3(120 g/plant). The results show that irrigation and nitrogen application has significant effects on new shoot length, flowering, fruit-setting, fruit diameter, fruit volume and yield of apple. The leaf area index(LAI)shows a singlet trend during the growth period, and the peak value appears in the middle of July. Under the same irrigation level, compared with N3, N1 increases in yield, new shoot length, LAI, transverse diameter, longitudinal diameter, volume, flowering and fruit setting by 17.91%, 28.31%, 18.75%, 11.38%, 10.13%, 36.60%, 20.92% and 5.19%, respectively, while N2 also increases by 12.40%, 15.63%, 4.86%, 5.40%, 5.11%, 17.01%, 26.17% and 13.74%, respectively. The rate of flowering and fruit setting decreases with the increase of nitrogen application. Under the same nitrogen level, compared with H3, H1 increases in yield, new shoot length, LAI, transverse diameter, longitudinal diameter, volume, flowering and fruit setting by 34.65%, 15.49%, 30.77%, 3.93%, 4.95%, 12.86%, 33.15% and 28.62%, respectively, while H2 also increases by 33.67%, 16.42%, 67.52%, 3.81%, 2.97%, 11.57%, 43.45%, and 27.26%, respectively. The rate of flowering and fruit setting decreases first and then increases with the increase of irrigation amount. Compared with H3N3, the yield of other treatments increases by 2.69%-52.20%, While H2N1 treatment has the highest yield(26 852.55 kg/ha). Considering from the point of view of promoting growth and increasing yield, the best water and nitrogen combination mode of mountain apple in northern Shaanxi is medium water deficit irrigation and high nitrogen(H2N1)treatment. The results from this study can provide a theoretical basis for apple water and nitrogen management in mountainous areas of northern Shaanxi.     

水分调控对干旱山地苹果树生长发育和结实的影响

人为灌溉补水是改善干旱山地果园水分供应状况的有效措施。为给山地果树精准灌溉提供科学依据,以陕北米脂山地6年生红富士苹果树为研究对象,以苹果树物候期为时段,以土壤田间持水量为标准进行了水分调控试验,研究分析了水分调控对干旱山地苹果树生长及果实生长发育的影响。结果表明,陕北山地苹果树萌芽期(3月下旬-4月中旬)、开花期(4月下旬-5月初)、新稍生长和幼果发育期(5月初-7月上旬)及果实膨大期(7月中旬-10月上旬)适宜的土壤含水量分别为田间持水量的50%~60%、50%~60%、50%~60%和70%~80%。在一般水文年,陕北山地苹果树萌芽期适宜的灌溉量为56.50mm,开花期为22.20mm,新稍生长和幼果发育期为92.63mm,其中5月初-6月上旬宜灌水75.16mm,6月中旬-7月上旬宜灌水17.47mm,果实膨大期降雨量可满足苹果树的需水量,不需灌溉。     

Spatial root distribution of mature apple trees under drip irrigation system

The study was undertaken in order to quantify the effect of 12-year irrigation by drip emitters placed on one side of the tree trunk on the rooting pattern of Gloster apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh) grafted on M26 rootstock under the conditions of south-west Poland. The orchard was established in 1994 and since 1995 was drip irrigated under three treatments: V0 - without irrigation (control), V1 - intensive irrigation, and V2 - economical irrigation. In March 2007, after 12 years of irrigation, a profile trench observation method was used to map the number and the location of root distribution in clay loam (Luvisol) soil.The root system architecture was largely affected by irrigation. In case of the trees irrigated intensively (V1), the study showed asymmetry in the distribution of roots of diameter <1 mm and 1-3 mm. In V1, shallow root system, concentrated in the wetted zone developed on the irrigated side of the tree, where on the side of the tree trunk opposite the emitter trees developed significantly larger numbers of roots, which penetrated deeper soil layers. There were no statistically significant differences in the number of roots between both sides of the tree trunk under the treatment with economical irrigation (V2). Moreover, spatial roots distribution over the entire soil profile was found to be the most uniform compared to the other experimental treatments (V0 and V1). Finally, the study examined the relationship between root system and yield. Obtained results showed that in the 3-year period less frequent water application (V2) resulted in the highest yield.     

无压灌溉条件下不同滴灌施氮量对樱桃生长发育及产量的影响

研究无压灌溉条件下不同滴灌施氮量对樱桃生长发育以及产量的影响,为果树水肥科学调控,实现高效节水、高产目标提供理论依据。以樱桃树为试验材料,研究不同出水孔径和施氮量对樱桃生长、生理、产量和灌溉水利用效率的影响。设2个水分水平(出水孔径为8 mm,W1;6 mm,W2和3个施氮水平[N1,N2,N3(200、400、600kg/hm2)]。结果表明:不同出水孔径和施氮量对樱桃树干周、新梢生长量、产量均有显著影响(P0.05),水肥交互作用对灌溉水利用效率和氮肥偏生产力有极显著性影响(P0.01)。樱桃植株的干周和新梢生长量随出水孔径和施氮量的增加而增加。W1处理下的樱桃平均干周生长量、新梢生长量和产量分别比W2处理高15.91%,18.72%和2.5%。W1N1处理的单果重和产量均最大,分别达到9.4g和13 077kg/hm2。综合考虑水肥协同效应、节水节肥及高产等多种因素,W1N1处理能兼顾生长、产量、水分利用效率和经济效益,是比较适宜的滴灌施肥水肥组合。     

山地枣树涌泉根灌适宜布置方式研究

以5年生梨枣树为试验树种,设置了4个处理(T1~T4),即每株枣树分别安装1、2、3、4个灌水器的布置方式,在灌水器流量4 L/h、埋深35 cm,单株枣树单次灌水量80 L情况下,对山地枣树涌泉根灌适宜布置方式进行了试验研究。结果表明,T2在灌水后土壤湿润体与枣树主要吸收根匹配最好,0~80 cm土层范围水分保持也较好;各处理枣树的枣吊长度、叶面积在停止生长后有一定的差异,枣吊平均长度顺序为T2T3T1T4,叶面积大小顺序为T2=T3T4T1;T2枣树在生理落果以后挂果最多,达到平均每株215个,比T1、T3、T4分别高57%、14%和32%;在一个灌水周期的末期,各处理叶水势处于-1.0~-1.4 MPa之间,叶水势大小顺序为T2T4T3T1。综合分析表明,每株枣树安装2个灌水器对枣树生长、生理最有利,是一种适宜的布置方式。     

喷灌条件下灌水量对建植初期紫花苜蓿产量与品质的影响

通过圆形喷灌机条件下的大田试验,研究了华北地区紫花苜蓿需水规律以及灌水量对苜蓿产量与品质的影响。结果表明:建植1年刈割4次的苜蓿,年需水量为663.39mm,平均日需水强度为3.6mm/d,需水量最大时期为第二、三茬。灌水量对全年产量影响不显著,其中85%ETc处理下年产量最高。在第一、四茬中,灌水量对产量影响不显著,85%ETc处理下获得最高产量;第二、三茬中,随灌水量增加产量逐渐增加,适当减少灌水(85%ETc)不会使产量明显减少,而灌水量减少至70%ETc时产量下降明显。同时,结果表明随着灌水量增加灌溉水分利用效率(IWUE)逐渐降低,且灌水量对各茬苜蓿品质均无显著性影响。综合考虑产量、品质与节水效果,建议采用85%ETc作为最优灌水量。     

青枣荫蔽栽培下微润灌溉对小粒咖啡生长和水光利用的影响

为探索小粒咖啡幼树的水光耦合模式,通过小区试验研究青枣荫蔽栽培条件下微润灌溉压力水头对小粒咖啡根区土壤水分分布、生长和光合特性的影响.设置3个压力水头:低水头(H_1.0:1.0 m)、中水头(H_1.5:1.5 m)和高水头(H_2.0:2.0 m);3个青枣荫蔽栽培程度:无荫蔽(S₀:100%自然光照)、轻度荫蔽(S₁:65%~75%自然光照)、重度荫蔽(S₂:45%~55%自然光照).研究结果表明:微润灌溉压力水头和荫蔽栽培水平对小粒咖啡根区土壤湿润体内水分含量均值影响显著,湿润体剖面面积随着压力水头的增大而增大,而随着荫蔽程度的增大略有减小;压力水头增大,微润灌湿润体内含水率均值与均匀度显著增大,荫蔽程度增大,湿润体及体内含水率均值与均匀度略有减小;与S₀相比,S₁的小粒咖啡株高、茎粗、冠幅和叶片数分别增大20.31%,12.44%,24.45%和52.00%;与H_1.0相比,增加微润灌压力水头使小粒咖啡叶片日均净光合速率、蒸腾速率、光能利用效率和瞬时水分利用效率分别增大22.10%~60.75%,28.02%~70.49%,35.51%~81.65%和26.42%~39.61%,而叶片胞间CO₂浓度减少14.16%~31.32%;与S₀相比,增大荫蔽栽培程度,日均净光合速率和蒸腾速率分别增大12.20%~26.10%和5.37%~26.28%,胞间CO₂浓度减小5.88%~11.97%;S₁下表观光能利用效率和瞬时水分利用效率分别增大15.02%和15.53%,而S₂下分别减小5.88%和11.97%;H_2.0S₁处理的小粒咖啡幼树生长、净光合速率、瞬时水分利用效率和表观光能利用效率显著提高,为适宜的灌溉和青枣荫蔽栽培耦合模式.     

滴灌条件下水肥耦合对苹果幼树生长与生理特性的影响

为探明半干旱区苹果树科学合理的灌溉和施肥制度,进行了滴灌条件下北方半干旱地区水肥耦合效应对苹果幼树生长与生理特性影响的试验,灌水设4个水平,施肥设3个水平,其中灌水处理为田间持水率的75%~90%（W1）、65%~80%（W2）、55%~70%（W3）和45%~60%（W4）,施肥处理为N、P2O5、K2O与风干土质量比分别为0.9、0.3、0.3g/kg（F1）,0.6、0.3、0.3g/kg（F2）,0.3、0.3、0.3g/kg（F3）。结果表明：不同水肥耦合处理下苹果幼树各生育期植株生长量、叶面积和干物质量最大值均出现在F1W2处理,最小值均出现在F3W4处理,植株生长量和叶面积在萌芽开花期、新梢生长期、坐果膨大期和成熟期较F1W1处理分别增加了6.9%、6.2%、11.0%、2.7%和9.3%、5.8%、5.0%、3.3%,生长指标一定程度上可以反映作物的生理特性。随着苹果幼树的生长,不同水肥耦合处理对苹果幼树叶片SPAD的影响越来越大,苹果幼树全生育期耗水量随灌水量和施肥量的增加呈递增的趋势,在F1W2处理下水分生产率均达到最大值（2.43kg/m3）,且与F1W1处理相比增加了14.6%,耗水量却减少了12.2%。苹果幼树净光合速率、蒸腾速率和气孔导度的最大值均出现在F1W1处理,F1W2处理与其相比分别降低了4.2%、9.7%和4.2%,但水分利用效率提高了5.9%,最大值也出现在F1W2处理。综上,F1W2水肥处理为最佳的水肥耦合模式,是最佳的灌溉和施肥制度。     

调亏灌溉对大棚滴灌甜瓜生长发育的影响

在大棚滴灌条件下对厚皮甜瓜伊丽莎白不同生育期进行不同程度的亏缺灌溉,研究调亏灌溉对其植株生长、产量、品质及水分利用效率的影响.以土壤相对含水量为标准,在营养生长期和生殖生长期分别设置不同的土壤水分灌溉下限处理,分别是T1(75%~75%),T2(75%~55%),T3(65%~65%),T4(55%~75%),T5(55%~55%)5个试验处理.结果表明:在营养生长期,随着水分亏缺程度的加大,株高、茎粗、叶面积均呈减小趋势.在果实发育阶段,营养生长期及生殖生长期的水分亏缺对果实的生长、产量都有影响,均随亏缺程度的加大而降低,产量以处理T1和T2的最高,T5的最低,T3的大于T4的,各处理间差异具有统计学意义.水分利用效率为处理T2的最高,T1和T4的较低,T2与T4相比,在灌水基本相同的条件下,产量增加了26.2%,水分利用效率提高了27.7%.品质方面,水分亏缺提高了TSS含量;在营养生长期充分灌溉、生殖生长期亏水灌溉可以提高可溶性蛋白、游离氨基酸、维生素C的含量;而营养生长期亏水灌溉、生殖生长期充分灌溉有利于可滴定酸的合成.经综合分析,认为处理T2的灌溉下限设置可以作为武汉地区大棚滴灌条件下的甜瓜灌溉制度.     

Determination of optimum irrigation water amount for drip-irrigated muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) in plastic greenhouse

This study was conducted to determine the optimum irrigation water amounts for muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) in plastic greenhouse. The irrigation water amounts were determined based on the percentage of field water capacity. On the same basis of irrigation start-point of 60% (the percent to comparing to the field water capacity), there were four different irrigation water levels 100% (T100), 90% (T90), 80% (T80) and 70% (T70) as the four different treatments. The results showed that plant growth, fruit production and quality were significantly affected under different irrigation water amounts. Plant height and stem diameter decreased as well as fruit yield from treatment T100 to T70. Fruit quality was the best in the T90 treatment. The irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) values found in this experiment showed that the lower the amount of irrigation water applied, the higher the irrigation water use efficiency obtained.Hence, based on the quality and quantity of muskmelon yield, the regime for 90% of field water capacity is the suitable soil irrigation treatment (T90) which can save irrigation water and improve the quality of fruit. Combined the crop yield, quality and pan evaporation inside greenhouse, obtained Kcp = 1.00 values can be recommended for the most appropriate irrigation scheduling, irrigation water amount is better between T100 and T90. Therefore, applying water by drip irrigation in relation to the amount of water evaporated from a standard 0.2 m diameter pan is a convenient, simple, easy, and low cost method inside a plastic greenhouse.     

Maize yield response to deficit irrigation during low-sensitive growth stages and nitrogen rate under semi-arid climatic conditions

Knowledge of crop production in suboptimal environmental conditions not only helps to sustain crop production but also aids in the design of low-input systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of water stress imposed at low-sensitive growth stages (vegetative, reproductive, and both vegetative and reproductive) and level of nitrogen (N) supply (100 and 200 kg ha⁻¹) on the physiological and agronomic characteristics of two hybrids of maize (Zea mays L.). A two-site field experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design with three replications and a split-factorial arrangement. A water deficit (WD) was induced by withholding irrigation at different stages of crop development. The results showed that proline content increased and the relative water content, leaf greenness, 100-kernel weight and grain yield decreased under conditions of WD. The highest IWUE was obtained when maize endured WD at vegetative stage at two sites. The limited irrigation imposed on maize during reproductive stage resulted in more yield reduction than that during vegetative stage, compared with fully irrigated treatment. The 100-kernel weight was the most sensitive yield component to determine the yield variation in maize plant when the WD treatments were imposed in low-sensitive growth stages. The results of the statistical regression analysis showed liner relationships between RGR during a period bracketing the V₈ or R₃ stages and 100-kernel weight in all the WD treatments. The increase of N supply improved yield and IWUE when maize plant endured once irrigation shortage at vegetative stage. But, the performance of high N fertilizer reduced and eliminated when water deficit imposed once at reproductive stage and twice at vegetative and reproductive stages, respectively. Furthermore, the response of T.C647 hybrid to increase of N supply was stronger than S.C647 hybrid.     

水分调控对麦茬棉产量和水分利用效率的影响

为研究麦后移栽棉对水分调控的响应,于2012年6月~2012年10月通过人工控水试验研究了水分供应对麦后移栽棉生长、产量和品质的影响。小区试验结果表明,蕾期轻度水分亏缺花铃期充分灌水处理(T2)的籽棉产量、成铃数以及单铃质量均为最大,但蕾期和花铃期轻度水分胁迫处理(T4)的产量与处理T2差异不显著,但水分利用效率和灌溉水利用效率分别提高了23.93%和34.01%;管栽试验结果表明,对照处理(T7)的单株成铃数的收获籽棉产量均最高,与对照处理相比,全生育期轻度水分胁迫处理(T8)减产3.98%,水分利用效率和灌溉水利用效率分别提高了9.70%和20.02%;桶栽试验结果表明,灌水定额为1.6倍ETp处理(T11)的籽棉产量和单株成铃数均最高,与处理T11相比,灌水定额为1.3ETp处理(T12)的籽棉产量仅降低了9.7%,而灌水定额为1.0 ETp处理(T13)的籽棉产量降低了30%。说明适宜的水分胁迫(灌水下限为60%~65%FC,灌水上限为80%~85%FC)有利于麦后移栽棉的高产和水分利用效率的提高。     

苹果果树渗灌试验研究

1989到1991年对10年生国光和金帅苹果品种的果树进行的渗灌试验结果如下:1,能节水并可防涝;2,可增加土壤孔隙度,提高土壤养分含量;3,增加吸收根数量,促进树体的生长发育。座果率和单株(或单位面积)产量均比漫灌(对照)区高;4,到1991年,果品质量有了明显的改善;5,多孔陶土管成本低;6,田间管理方便。     

微纳米气泡水滴灌对设施甜瓜产量、品质及灌溉水利用效率的影响

【目的】提出适合设施甜瓜栽培的微纳米气泡水(Micro-nano Bubble Water,MNBW)滴灌模式。【方法】以设施甜瓜为供试对象,采用地下滴灌系统进行MNBW灌溉,研究了MNBW和传统地下水(Conventional Groundwater,CGW)4种水源、2种施肥水平(100%和80%滴灌施肥水平)、3种滴灌频率(1/3、1/7、1/15次/d)等因素耦合对甜瓜产量、品质和灌溉水利用效率(Irrigation Water Use Efficiency,IWUE)的影响。【结果】使用MNBW滴灌可以实现肥料减施,削减20%传统滴灌施肥量可以大幅提高甜瓜的产量(增幅最高可达56.4%)和IWUE(增幅最高可达67.7%),可溶性糖量、维生素C量、可溶性固形物量也提升显著;灌溉频率也会影响MNBW滴灌的应用效果1/3次/d的高频滴灌下甜瓜的品质提升最为显著,与滴灌频率为1/15次/d相比,甜瓜的可溶性固形物量提高21.5%～28.0%、维生素C量提高11.6%～14.8%、茎粗提高8.5%～14.2%。如果未恰当采用未腐熟牛粪作为底肥,MNBW滴灌反而会大幅降低甜瓜的产量、品质与IWUE。【结论】推荐滴灌频率为1/3次/d的MNBW滴灌结合80%滴灌施肥水平作为设施甜瓜微纳米气泡水滴灌模式。     

Long-term evaluation of yield components of young olive trees during the onset of fruit production under different irrigation regimes

A four-year study was conducted on young Olea europaea L. trees to investigate the effect of deficit irrigation starting from the onset of fruit production. Subsurface drip irrigation was used to supply 100% (FI), 46–52% (DI), or 2–6% (SI) of tree water needs. Tree growth was reduced by deficit irrigation, whereas, return bloom was not. Per tree fruit yield of DI trees was 68% that of FI, but fruit yield efficiency based on tree size was similar between treatments. Fruit set and the number of fruits of FI trees were similar to those of DI trees and significantly higher than in SI trees. No significant differences in fruit fresh weight were found between FI and DI. The oil yield and oil yield efficiency of the DI treatment were 82 and 110% that of FI trees, respectively. A level of about 50% deficit proved sustainable to irrigate trees for oil production.     

Water pillow irrigation compared to furrow irrigation for soybean production in a semi-arid area

Field studies were done in 2003 and 2006 to evaluate the performance of water pillow (WP) irrigation as an alternative to furrow irrigation (FI) for soybean growth in semi-arid climatic conditions. There were four irrigation treatments: two of which (FI and WP_1.0) were full irrigation, in that the water deficit in the soil profile (0.9 m) was brought to field capacity in 10-day intervals. The other two treatments (WP_0.75 and WP_0.50) were deficit irrigation treatments, and received 75% and 50% of WP_1.0 irrigation amount. The highest seed yield was achieved with the WP_1.0 treatment. Irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) and water use efficiency (WUE) were influenced significantly by the irrigation methods and levels (P ≤ 0.05). The highest values of WUE and IWUE were obtained by the WP_0.75 and WP_0.50 treatment, respectively, in both study years. However, the smallest irrigation amount resulted in lower total yield for the WP_0.50 treatment, and is not recommended. In conclusion, the WP_0.75 treatment is recommended for soybean production in order to attain higher values of IWUE and WUE, and to conserve water and maximize yield with the same volume of water.     

蓄水坑灌条件下不同灌水下限幼龄苹果树耗水特性及作物系数的试验研究

以三年生矮砧红富士为试验材料,利用水量平衡方程和彭曼-蒙特斯公式(Penman-Monteith)计算幼龄苹果树全生育期的实际耗水量和参考作物蒸发蒸腾量,探明了蓄水坑灌条件下不同灌水下限幼龄苹果树的耗水特性及作物系数变化规律。结果表明:1CK、T_2、T_3处理全生育期耗水量差异不大,分别为327.40、322.60和314.10mm;T_1处理最小为296.40mm。生育期内各处理耗水量均呈中间大,两头小的"纺锤形"分布,生育中期(7-9月)的耗水模数为69.43%~75.44%,此阶段是幼龄苹果树的需水关键期。2CK、T_2、T_3处理幼树作物系数全生育期内呈双峰分布,初始生育期缓慢增长;花芽分化期,略有下降;快速生育期,作物系数持续增长并在生育中期达到峰值;成熟期,作物系数迅速减小;T1处理幼树作物系数全生育期内呈单峰分布,除7月外,其余时期都小于其他处理;不同处理幼树作物系数均在9月达到峰值。3蓄水坑灌比地面灌溉具有更强的蓄水保墒能力。     

灌水下限对甜瓜生长及水分利用效率的影响

为指导华北地区设施甜瓜节水高效生产,以日光温室甜瓜为试材,控制灌水下限分别为田间持水量的90%(T1),75%(T2)和60%(T3),研究了膜下滴灌条件下不同灌水下限对甜瓜生长指标、水分利用效率的影响.结果表明:相对较低的土壤含水量促进根系发育、分生,有利于甜瓜叶面积、茎粗的增加,但株高对灌水下限的响应不明显(P=0.1).75%田间持水量灌水下限有利于提高甜瓜产量和品质.甜瓜根系主要水平分布在以植株为中心20 cm的范围内,垂向主要分布于0~40 cm土层内.各处理的水分利用效率从大到小依次为T3,T1,T2.制订了甜瓜高效灌溉制度,各主要生育期作物系数分别为1.81,1.61,2.21,2.19.     

Yield and quality of melon grown under different irrigation and nitrogen rates

During 2 years, a melon crop (Cucumis melo L. cv. Sancho) was grown under field conditions to investigate the effects of different nitrogen (N) and irrigation (I) levels on fruit yield, fruit quality, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) and nitrogen applied efficiency (NAE). The statistical design was a split-plot with four replications, where irrigation was the main factor of variation and N was the secondary factor. In 2005, irrigation treatments consisted of applying daily a moderate water stress equivalent to 75% of ETc (crop evapotranspiration), a 100% ETc control and an excess irrigation of 125% ETc (designated as I₇₅, I₁₀₀ and I₁₂₅), while the N treatments were 30, 85, 112 and 139 kg N ha⁻¹ (designated as N₃₀, N₈₅, N₁₁₂ and N₁₃₉). In 2006, both the irrigation and N treatments applied were: 60, 100 and 140% ETc (I₆₀, I₁₀₀ and I₁₄₀) and 93, 243 and 393 kg N ha⁻¹ (N₉₃, N₂₄₃ and N₃₉₃). Moderate water stress did not reduce melon yield and high IWUE was obtained. Under severe deficit irrigation, the yield was reduced by 22% mainly due to decrease fruit weight. The relative yield (yield/maximum yield) was higher than 95% when the irrigation depth applied was in the range of 87-136% ETc. In 2006, the interaction between irrigation and N was significant for yield, fruit weight and IWUE. The best yield, 41.3 Mg ha⁻¹, was obtained with 100% ETc at N₉₃. The flesh firmness and the placenta and seeds weight increased when the irrigation level was reduced by 60% ETc. The highest NAE was obtained with quantities of water close to 100% ETc and increased as the N level was reduced. The highest IWUE was obtained with applications close to 90 kg N ha⁻¹. The I₂₄₃ and I₃₉₃ treatments produced inferior fruits due to higher skin ratios and lower flesh ratios. These results suggest that it is possible to apply moderate deficit irrigation, around 90% ETc, and reduce nitrogen input to 90 kg ha⁻¹ without lessening quality and yields.     

Evaluation of the influence of irrigation methods and water quality on sugar beet yield and water use efficiency

Rapid urbanization and industrialization have increased the pressure on limited existing fresh water to meet the growing needs for food production. Two immediate responses to this challenge are the efficient use of irrigation technology and the use of alternative sources of water. Drip irrigation methods may play an important role in efficient use of water but there is still limited information on their use on sugar beet crops in arid countries such as Iran. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of irrigation method and water quality on sugar beet yield, percentage of sugar content and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). The irrigation methods investigated were subsurface drip, surface drip and furrow irrigation. The two waters used were treated municipal effluent (EC = 1.52 dS m⁻¹) and fresh water (EC = 0.509 dS m⁻¹). The experiments used a split plot design and were undertaken over two consecutive growing seasons in Southern Iran. Statistical testing indicated that the irrigation method and water quality had a significant effect (at the 1% level) on sugar beet root yield, sugar yield, and IWUE. The highest root yield (79.7 Mg ha⁻¹) was obtained using surface drip irrigation and effluent and the lowest root yield (41.4 Mg ha⁻¹) was obtained using furrow irrigation and fresh water. The highest IWUE in root yield production (9 kg m⁻³) was obtained using surface drip irrigation with effluent and the lowest value (3.8 kg m⁻³) was obtained using furrow irrigation with fresh water. The highest IWUE of 1.26 kg m⁻³ for sugar was obtained using surface drip irrigation. The corresponding efficiency using effluent was 1.14 kg m⁻³. Irrigation with effluent led to an increase in the net sugar yield due to an increase in the sugar beet root yield. However, there was a slight reduction in the percentage sugar content in the plants. This study also showed that soil water and root depth monitoring can be used in irrigation scheduling to avoid water stress. Such monitoring techniques can also save considerable volumes of irrigation water and can increase yield.