Effect of site-specific irrigation management on grapevine yield and fruit quality attributes

Spatial variation in yield and fruit composition has been observed in many vineyards, leading to low productivity. In this study, site-specific irrigation was applied in a commercial vineyard (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Shiraz) block in the Sunraysia region of Australia to improve production in low-yielding areas of the block and decrease differences in yield and quality between irrigation management zones. Data collected under uniform irrigation management showed that spatial variation in canopy cover, yield and fruit composition across the vineyard block was substantial. Normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and canopy temperature data supported delineation of three irrigation management zones and decisions regarding irrigation strategy. Water use efficiency and yield improvements were achieved by implementing site-specific irrigation. Fruit composition results were varied; pH and titratable acidity showed increased similarity between zones, but other parameters maintained differences between zones. These results lend support to the use of NDVI to determine irrigation management zones.     

Impact of treated wastewater irrigation on water repellency of Mediterranean soils

Irrigation with treated wastewater (TWW) is gaining importance due to declining water availability in dry regions. TWW irrigation has various potential adverse effects on soil quality such as hydrophobic effects on soil surfaces, reducing initial sorptivity and promoting the formation of preferential flow paths. In May and June 2010, in situ infiltration measurements using mini disk tension infiltrometer were deployed in five different orchard plots in Israel to assess the impact of different irrigation water qualities on the soil water repellency index R. In most plantations, long-term test sites were accessed to compare adjacent plots irrigated with fresh water (FW) or TWW. Topsoil samples were analyzed for selected physical and chemical characteristics. The mean R values increased at all TWW sites, from +15 up to +55 % compared with FW sites. The water drop penetration time (WDPT) increased up to 30 fold at three of five TWW sites compared with FW sites. Subsequent U tests and multilevel analysis indicated an impact of the type of irrigation water on R and WDPT. Moreover, soil electrical conductivity and exchangeable sodium percentage were consistently higher at all TWW sites. These results show that irrigation water quality clearly influences physical and chemical properties of the soil.     

Induction of soil water repellency following irrigation with treated wastewater: effects of irrigation water quality and soil texture

We hypothesized that organic matter (OM) content originating from treated wastewater (TWW) irrigation and soil texture dominate the intensity of soil water repellency. The relationship between soil texture, wastewater treatment level, and water repellency was examined in a 3-year lysimeter experiment (2008–2010). Soil type–water quality combinations, consisting of three soils with different specific surface area (SSA) and four levels of water quality differing in OM content, were tested. In each year, water repellency developed in all TWW quality treatments, but not in freshwater-irrigated controls. At the end of each year (except 2009), the highest degree of repellency was exhibited by sandy soil treated with the lowest quality TWW (highest OM content). The lowest degree of water repellency was consistently exhibited by the soil with the highest SSA irrigated with the highest quality TWW (lowest OM content). Water quality, rather than SSA, was the dominant factor in determining degree of repellency induced by TWW irrigation.     

调亏灌溉技术及对葡萄果实品质的影响

由于全球变暖,水资源短缺的风险越来越大,为此优化传统栽培模式,实行节水灌溉势在必行,调亏灌溉是提高水分利用效率的关键技术。本文首先深入探讨了调亏灌溉的机理,从葡萄树体的生长状况、根系的发育情况以及相关蛋白的表达调控等多个角度进行了综合分析。其次文章对分期调亏灌溉、根系分区灌溉和隔行交替灌溉这三种具体的调亏灌溉模式进行了详细的概述。文章进一步探讨了不同灌溉时期对葡萄生长发育的影响,以及不同物候期对水分的需求及如何根据葡萄的生长周期来合理安排灌溉时间。最后,文章总结了调亏灌溉对葡萄果实中糖分、酸度、酚类化合物以及香气物质等关键品质因素的影响。通过对调亏灌溉机理的深入研究,以及对不同灌溉模式和时期影响的探讨,为科学管理葡萄园,实现节水增效,促进农业可持续发展奠定理论基础。     

Biological and chemical fouling in drip irrigation systems utilizing treated wastewater

A major constraint on the use of treated wastewater (TWW) in microirrigation systems is the potential for fouling. This research aimed to assess the occurrence of fouling in drip irrigation systems applying TWW and determine the quantity and chemical characteristics of the fouling. A field survey was performed to determine the incidence of chemical and biological fouling in irrigation systems and its influence on system performance. Dripper flow rate, total and volatile solids, chemical composition, and diffuse reflection infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectra of the fouling material were determined. Fouling was found in all of the drip irrigation systems sampled under a variety of conditions. The fouling contained a high percentage of organic matter (OM), except for two instances where the material was mainly inorganic. Identification of the functional groups using DRIFT showed that the OM found is essentially of aliphatic and amide origin. Comparing the spectra obtained from the various sites revealed considerable similarity in the material properties. This suggests a common mechanism in all irrigation systems tested, but a different accumulation rate. A high correlation was found between total phosphorus concentration, the sum of Ca and Mg concentrations and the TWW pH, and the content of total and organic carbon in the fouling. In addition, the correlation between equipment age and the amount of accumulated total solids was high for systems containing high quantities of fouling. The concentration of volatile solids was highly correlated with the age of the irrigation system.     

灌排方案对避雨番茄需水特性与产量的影响

为了实现南方地区番茄节水、优质、高效生产,在避雨栽培条件下,研究了不同灌排方式对番茄需水特性与产量的影响.研究结果表明:各亏缺灌溉处理土壤含水率随时间总体呈下降趋势,暗管埋深08 m的处理较埋深06 m处理,土壤含水量下降更快但不明显.番茄不同生育阶段的蒸发蒸腾量差别较大,表现为始花坐果期>果实成熟与采收期>苗期.随着番茄的生长,其日蒸发蒸腾量大体呈逐渐上升的趋势.在不同灌排模式和避雨措施条件下,苗期的日蒸发蒸腾量变化范围为107～271 mm／d,始花坐果期日蒸发蒸腾量变化范围为160～309 mm／d,果实成熟与采收期日蒸发蒸腾量变化范围为178～335 mm／d.在相同的排水措施,不同灌溉条件下,番茄果实产量随着灌水量的减少而减少,水分利用率和灌溉水利用率却随着灌水量的减少而增大.研究可为南方避雨栽培下番茄灌排方式的选择及其节水、优质、高产提供参考.     

Response of cotton to treated domestic wastewater applied through trickle irrigation

Summary Field experiments were conducted under arid zone conditions to examine cotton response to treated domestic wastewater applied at different frequencies and emitter spacings by trickle irrigation.Row spacing was either conventional, i.e. single rows apart, or in twin rows, 0.96 m and 1.92 m apart (a twin row consists of a pair 0.35 m apart). Some treatments received the commercial rates of effluent application (around 5,500 m³/ha) as commonly practiced in the area, others received a reduced amount, 80% of the commercial rate.Maximum yield (over 7,000 kg/ha) was obtained under twin row planting, irrigated twice a week with a commercial amount of effluent. A yield of 6,040 kg/ha was obtained under twin row planting irrigated once a week or each day. Under conventional row and emitter spacing, irrigated twice a week, the yield was 6.016 kg/ha.     

循环曝气地下滴灌的温室番茄生长与品质

循环曝气滴灌可以大幅度提高灌溉水掺气比例,有效改善普通地下滴灌引起的黏质型土壤根区间歇性缺氧环境,提高作物生产力.以河南省中牟县黄河淤积黄黏土为供试土壤,以温室番茄为供试对象,研究循环曝气地下滴灌对番茄生理及品质的影响.结果表明,与普通地下滴灌(对照处理)相比,相同灌溉定额条件下曝气处理番茄果实前5次产量提高了29.15%;番茄的水分利用效率提高了20.72%.曝气处理气孔导度提高了30.51%,植物的生长活力得到增强.番茄果实维生素C含量提高了13.25%,可溶性固形物含量提高了8.62%,糖酸比提高了22.05%,而总酸含量和硬度分别下降了15.50%和11.19%.曝气处理最大根长增加了16.75%,根冠质量之比提高了25.81%.综合分析表明,曝气滴灌可显著促进黄黏土中番茄的生长,促进番茄果实成熟,有效提高作物产量,改善番茄品质.     

调亏灌溉对枣树生长与果实品质和产量的影响

为探究开花坐果期调亏灌溉对南疆绿洲区灰枣树品质和产量的影响,以大田生长7年的成龄灰枣树为试验试材,在开花坐果期进行轻度调亏处理T1(80%ET₀,其中ET₀为阶段水面蒸发量)、中度调亏处理T2(60%ET₀)、重度调亏处理T3(40%ET₀)、对照处理CK(100%ET₀),探究开花坐果期调亏灌溉对灰枣树枣吊生长、果实品质、产量、经济效益等影响.结果表明:开花坐果期调亏对枣吊生长速率有显著影响,且随着水分胁迫的加剧,对枣吊生长的抑制作用越大;调亏灌溉对提高单果重、可溶性固形物、糖酸比影响显著,其中,中度处理T2灰枣最终产量提高了9.6%,经济效益增加33.92%.因此,开花坐果期中度调亏有利于提高灰枣品质、产量及经济效益.     

Fouling formation and chemical control in drip irrigation systems using treated wastewater

Drip irrigation systems are prone to changes in flow rate (FR) and increasing coefficients of variation (CV) when fed with treated wastewater, due to fouling inside the drippers. A model system was designed to measure the FR and fouling accumulation in laterals and drippers under different treatment conditions. A novel approach was taken to compare the different maintenance treatments. A comparison of chlorination and acidification strategies showed that daily chlorination and periodic acidification may prolong proper functioning of the drippers by maintaining a normal FR [(up to ±7 %) of nominal FR] and CV (<7 %) index in correlation with low fouling accumulation in the pipeline (<0.01 mg deposit/cm _pipe ² ). Current recommendations for the frequency of conventional treatments were found to be insufficient. Chemical analyses of the fouling inside the dripper and accumulated on the pipe wall showed that biofilm can survive inside the dripper under harsh environmental conditions, even when the pipeline stays clean. These results shed light on biofilm growth and survival mechanisms inside the dripper and may pave the way to developing new treatments or improving dripper design.     

Impact of irrigation with treated low quality water on the heavy metal contents of a soil-crop system in Serbia

Water availability for irrigation is a limiting factor for agriculture in Mediterranean countries. An upcoming strategy for increasing water supply is to use treated wastewater for irrigation. A principal drawback of irrigating with wastewater is the potential heavy metal accumulation in soil and foodstuff.Accumulation of heavy metals in soil and potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) irrigated with treated low quality surface water was studied in a three years experiment. The low quality surface water used for irrigation experiments contained a significant proportion of urban sewage and was spiked with selected heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb) and arsenic before treatment for years 2 and 3.The experiments were carried out during the growing seasons of 2006, 2007 and 2008 on a humogley soil of a commercial vegetable farm, 10 km north of Belgrade, Serbia. The growing seasons started in April/May and finished in August. Irrigation water was treated using (1) a conventional sand filter treatment, and (2) a sand filter combined with a specific filter for heavy metal removal treatment.Irrigation water composition was highly variable and cases both of enrichment and depletion of the measured inorganic trace elements were observed in the treated water, compared to the low quality feed water.In spite of this variability of the irrigation water composition, the soil contents in inorganic elements at the end of the three irrigation years are similar to the initial state. After the third harvest, no impact of the irrigation water on potato quality could be detected except for total sugar and sugar in total solids. Statistical tests (ANOVA) were performed to assess similarities between the different set of samples.The principal conclusion of this investigation is that, when appropriately treated, low quality feed waters with high heavy metal contents can be used for irrigation over several years without significant degradation of soil and produces. Even though, long-term cumulative effects in other pedologic and hydroclimatic settings, irrigation and cropping conditions cannot be excluded.     

温室番茄节水调质灌水方案评价

为寻求日光温室番茄优质高效的灌溉制度,采用设置于温室番茄冠层齐平位置的水面蒸发测定装置,设计3种基于水面蒸发量的灌水间隔水平和4种灌水量水平组合处理,依据小区试验观测结果,分析确定了以番茄产量、水分利用率、单果重、可溶性固形物质量分数及果实硬度等5项指标为主的节水调质灌溉制度评价体系;在采用变异系数法确定出各指标权重的基础上,借鉴TOPSIS综合评价方法,建立了温室番茄节水、优质、高产相统一的综合评价模型,应用该模型确定基于水面蒸发量的温室番茄节水调质灌溉制度,即当累积水面蒸发量Epan达到10mm±2mm时进行灌溉,灌水量为0.9Epan,在产量不降低的情况下,提高了水分利用率,并在一定程度上提高了果实的营养品质和储运品质.     

Faecal contamination and hygiene aspect associated with the use of treated wastewater and canal water for irrigation of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)

Clean water has become one of the main limiting factors in agricultural food production in Europe, especially for countries around the Mediterranean, who now face more severe and frequent seasonal water shortages. In order to overcome water shortages the European Water Framework Directive encourages and promotes the use of treated urban wastewater in agriculture. However, the use of poor quality water in agriculture poses potential health risks. The application of wastewater through subsurface drip irrigation lines could possibly overcome public health concerns by minimizing contact with wastewater by farmers, farm workers but it is uncertain if the risk for consumers of wastewater irrigated produces would be acceptable. The objective of the current study was therefore to assess whether subsurface irrigation of potatoes with low quality water was associated with higher food safety and reduced human health risks as compared with surface irrigation. The microbial quality of soil and potatoes irrigated by sprinkler, furrow and subsurface drip irrigation, using treated urban wastewater, canal water and tap water were compared at experimental sites near Belgrade, Serbia and in Bologna, Italy. Water, soil and potato samples were collected from March 2007 to September 2008 and their faecal contamination estimated by enumeration of the faecal indicator Escherichia coli. In addition, water and potatoes in Italy were analysed for the presence of helminth eggs, another important indicator of faecal pollution. A quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model combined with Monte Carlo simulations was used to assess whether the different irrigation practices and associated health risks complied with guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The study found low levels of E. coli in irrigation water (Italy mean value: 1.7 colony forming units (cfu)/ml and Serbia 11 cfu/ml), as well as in soil (Italy mean: 1.0 cfu/g and Serbia 1.1 cfu/g). Similar low concentrations of E. coli were found on potatoes (Italy mean: 1.0 cfu/g and Serbia 0.0 cfu/g). The vast majority (442/516) of the collected different samples were free of E. coli. No helminth eggs were found in any types of irrigation water or on the surface of potatoes. The risk assessment models found the use of treated wastewater to exceed the levels of risks for gastro-intestinal disease (1.0 × 10⁻³ disease risk) as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the accidental ingestion of soil by farmers (Serbia: 0.22 and Italy: 5.7 × 10⁻²). However, samples that exceeded disease risks set by the WHO were collected before initiation of wastewater irrigation and were limited to a few numbers of samples, which would indicate environmental contamination not linked to irrigation practice. Disease risk from consumption of potatoes in Italy and in Serbia was found to be within acceptable levels. No relationship was found between E. coli concentrations in irrigation water, soil and produce. Similar lack of association was found for E. coli findings in sprinkler, furrow or subsurface drip irrigated soils and produce. This indicates that subsurface drip irrigation can be practiced while ensuring food safety and protecting the health of consumers and farmers.     

番茄果实不同发育阶段水分亏缺对其风味品质的影响

对番茄果实膨大期和成熟期各设充分供水、中度和重度亏水3个水平,进行盆栽试验,分析了膨大期和成熟期亏水水平及其交互作用对番茄可溶性固形物、可溶性糖、可滴定酸含量及糖酸比的影响.结果表明:果实膨大期、成熟期亏水水平及其交互作用对番茄可溶性固形物、可溶性糖、可滴定酸含量及糖酸比有显著影响(膨大期亏水对可溶性糖含量影响除外);成熟期中度亏水时,膨大期中度亏水较充分供水使可滴定酸和可溶性固形物含量显著提高,增幅分别为57.8%和29.4%,糖酸比显著降低,降幅为46.6%;膨大期重度亏水时,成熟期重度亏水较充分供水使可溶性糖、可溶性固形物和糖酸比依次减小49.3%,33.9%和75.0%,而使可滴定酸含量增加129.7%;果实发育阶段持续重度亏水较充分供水使可溶性糖、可溶性固形物含量和糖酸比分别减小16.5%,16.0%和36.5%.表明番茄果实膨大期和成熟期的水分供应均会对其风味品质产生显著影响,而且,各时期单独亏水的效应与其他时期的水分供应有密切关系;两时期适度亏水可显著改善番茄果实风味品质,膨大期到成熟期持续重度亏水反而不利于其风味品质的提高,只是获得了较高的酸度.     

Effect of long-term un-treated domestic wastewater re-use on soil quality, wheat grain and straw yields and attributes of fodder quality

In 2006 a comprehensive sampling program was undertaken in two pre-selected peri-urban villages in Faisalabad, Pakistan to evaluate the soil and agronomic impacts of long-term (25–30 years) untreated wastewater re-use on wheat grain and straw yields and attributes of wheat straw fodder quality. Soil SAR, ESP, RSC and ECe were 63%, 37%, 31%, and 50% higher under wastewater (WW) as compared with canal water (CW) irrigated plots. Further, 2.7 and 6.65 fold increases in soil NO ₃ ^? + NO ₂ ^? - N and Olsen-P were observed in WW as compared with CW irrigated plots. However, no significant differences in grain yield, wheat straw biomass, or fodder quality attributes were observed between WW and CW irrigated plots. In addition, for both CW and WW irrigated plots wheat straw, Cd and Pb concentrations were orders of magnitude below the EC Maximum permissible levels for Pb and Cd in feed materials and thus pose no threat to the fodder-livestock food chain. Further, elevated soil N associated with WW irrigated plots has a significant (p?<?0.01) positive influence on fodder quality by increasing the N content. Factorial ANOVA with covariance indicates that effective management of the elevated soil ECe in WW irrigated plots would increase grain yield and wheat straw biomass by 853 kg ha^?1 (19.5%) and 819 kg ha^?1 (18.6%) respectively as compared with CW irrigated plots. In Faisalabad, if managed appropriately to address emerging salinity issues the contribution of wastewater irrigation to the achievement of MDGs 1 and 7 could be significant if adverse impacts remain as marginal as found in this study.     

Regulated deficit irrigation improved fruit quality and water use efficiency of pear-jujube trees

Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) was applied on field-grown pear-jujube trees in 2005 and 2006 and its effects on crop water-consumption, yield and fruit quality were investigated. Treatments included severe, moderate and low water deficit treatments at bud burst to leafing, flowering to fruit set, fruit growth and fruit maturation stages. Different deficit irrigation levels at different growth stages had significant effects on the fruit yield and quality. Moderate and severe water deficits at bud burst to leafing and fruit maturation stages increased fruit yield by 13.2-31.9% and 9.7-17.5%, respectively. Fruit yield under low water deficit at fruit growth and fruit maturation stages was similar to that of full irrigation (FI) treatment. All water deficit treatments reduced water consumption by 5-18% and saved irrigation water by 13-25% when compared to the FI treatment. During the bud burst to leafing stage, moderate and severe water deficits did not have effect on the fruit quality, but significantly saved irrigation water and increased fruit yield. Low water deficit during the fruit growth stage and low, moderate and severe water deficits during the fruit maturation stage had no significant effect on the fruit weight and fruit volume but reduced fruit water content slightly, which led to much reduced rotten fruit percentage during the post-harvest storage period. Such water deficit treatments also shortened the fruit maturation period by 10-15 d and raised the market price of the fruit. Fruit quality shown as fruit firmness, soluble solid content, sugar/acid ratio and vitamin C (V_C) content were all enhanced as a result of deficit irrigation. Our results suggest that RDI should be adopted as a beneficial agricultural practice in the production of pear-jujube fruit.     

Determination of comprehensive quality index for tomato and its response to different irrigation treatments

In order to investigate better irrigation scheduling with the compromise between yield and quality of greenhouse-grown tomato under limit water supply, two experiments of different irrigation treatments were conducted in the arid region of northwest China during spring to summer in 2008 (2008 season) and winter in 2008 to summer in 2009 (2008-2009 season). After measuring single quality attributes, the analysis hierarchy process (AHP) and technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) were used to determine the weight of single quality attributes and comprehensive quality index, respectively. The results show that the rank of comprehensive quality index had good fitness to that of single quality attributes, indicating that the comprehensive quality index was reliable. Compared to full irrigation, applying 1/3 or 2/3 of full irrigation amount at the seedling stage had slight improvement of comprehensive quality and limit water saving. Applying 1/3 or 2/3 of full irrigation amount at the fruit maturation and harvesting stage decreased the yield by 23.0-40.9%, but had the best comprehensive quality. However, applying 1/3 of full irrigation amount at the flowering and fruit development stage significantly reduced crop water consumption and had obvious improvement of comprehensive quality, but did not decrease the yield significantly and water use efficiency in the 2008 season. And applying 2/3 of full irrigation amount at the flowering and fruit development stage significantly decreased crop water consumption and slightly improved the comprehensive quality, but did not decrease the yield significantly in the 2008-2009 season. Considering the water saving amount, yield and comprehensive quality, applying 1/3 or 2/3 of full irrigation amount at the flowering and fruit development stage and no water stress in other growth stages appears to be a better irrigation scheduling with the compromise between yield and quality of greenhouse-grown tomato, which can be recommended for the spring to summer and winter to summer seasons in the arid region of northwest China.     

温室番茄滴灌灌水指标试验研究

研究了日光温室中番茄的需水量、需水规律、产量与耗水量的关系。对日光温室番茄进行了滴灌灌水制度的研究。根据番茄不同生育期的生理特性及其需水特性确定其相应适宜的土壤含水率范围（占田间持水量的百分比）为：苗期45％～55％，开花坐果期55～75％，坐果期65-85％。不同生育期的灌水定额为：苗期10～15mm，开花坐果期15-25mm，结果期20-30mm。     

Soil surface water repellency induced by treated wastewater irrigation: physico-chemical characterization and quantification

Irrigation with treated wastewater (TWW) is commonly practiced in Israel to relieve freshwater (FW) shortages. We hypothesized that the organic matter (OM) originating from TWW irrigation alters the physico-chemical properties of the soil, induces water repellency in the soil’s top layer, and consequently alters water distribution in the soil profile. In measurements taken in an avocado orchard on a clayey soil, water repellency was found in TWW-irrigated plots. In addition, smaller wetted surface areas were recorded around the drippers in comparison with FW drippers. Drier zone below soil surface was observed in TWW-emitting drippers. OM extraction from the different plots exhibited differences in quantity and quality of organic substances between TWW- and FW-irrigated soils, with a higher quantity of hydrophobic substances in the TWW-irrigated soil extract.     

Some environmental problems associated with the use of treated wastewater for irrigation in Jordan

Treated effluent was used for eggplant (aubergine) irrigation through a trickle system at As-Samra experimental site. The soil characteristics were determined prior to irrigation. Physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the effluent were determined during the growing season. Suitability of the effluent for irrigation was studied. The crop and soil were tested for pathogenic pollution. The accumulation of salts and heavy metals in the soil as well as concentration of the nutrients and heavy metal accumulation in the plant tissues were determined. Clogging of the irrigation system was evaluated and treated. Yield was determined.Results of the study showed that the effluent has a low heavy metal content. It showed moderate restriction for surface trickle irrigation. Regarding the microbiological quality of the treated wastewater, it was found that the faecal coliform ranged from 2.1 × 10³ to 1.8 × 10 Most Probable Number (MPN) per 100 ml at the irrigated site, while it is free from nematode eggs. The soil surface under the effluent irrigation water was found to contain faecal coliform, but the count drastically decreased with depth. Except for a very low coliform count on fruit skins, no colifonn count was found on the crop leaves, whether they were free or in contact with the soil. The effluent showed a rather high concentration of chlorophyll a due to the presence of algae. Results of soil analysis after eggplant harvest showed a slight increase in heavy metals and salt accumulation at the periphery of the wet zone. Nutrients and heavy metal concentration in eggplant tissue under treated effluent irrigation was within the normal range in agricultural crops. Although filtration of the effluent was not practised, there was minimum clogging of the irrigation system. This clogging was successfully controlled with acid and chlorine. Eggplant yield under treated effluent was twice the average eggplant production under fresh water irrigation using conventional fertiliser application in Jordan.