Response of vegetative growth and fruit development to regulated deficit irrigation at different growth stages of pear-jujube tree

In order to investigate the response of vegetative growth, fruit development and water use efficiency to regulated deficit irrigation at different growth stages of pear-jujube tree (Zizyphus jujube Mill.), different water deficit at single-stage were treated on field grown 7-year old pear-jujube trees in 2005 and 2006. Treatments included severe (SD), moderate (MD) and low (LD) water deficit treatments at bud-burst to leafing (I), flowering to fruit set (II), fruit growth (III) and fruit maturation (IV) stages. Compared to the full irrigation (control), different water deficit treatments at different growth stages reduced photosynthesis rate (P_n) slightly and transpiration rate (T_r) significantly, thus it improved leaf water use efficiency (WUE_L, defined as the ratio of P_n to T_r) by 2.7-26.1%. After the re-watering, P_n had significant compensatory effect, but T_r was not enhanced significantly, thus WUE_L was improved by 31.4-42.2%. I-SD, I-MD, II-SD and II-MD decreased new shoot length, new shoot diameter and panicle length by 8-28%, 13-23% and 10-31%, respectively. Simultaneously, they reduced leaf area index (LAI) and pruning amount significantly. Flowering of pear-jujube tree advanced by 3-8 days in the water deficit treatments at stage I, Furthermore, SD and MD at stage I increased flowers per panicle and final fruit set by 18.9-40.5% and 15.5-36.6%, respectively. After a period of re-watering, different water deficit treatments at different growth stages improved the fruit growth rate by 15-30% without reduction of the final fruit volume. Compared to the control, I-MD, I-SD, I-LD, I-MD and I-SD treatments increased fruit yield by 13.2-31.9%, but reduced water consumption by 9.7-17.5%, therefore, they enhanced water use efficiency at yield level (WUE_Y, defined as ratio of fruit yield to total water use) by 17.3-41.4%. Therefore, suitable period and degree of water deficit can reduce irrigation water and restrain growth redundancy significantly, and it optimize the relationship between vegetative growth and reproductive growth of pear-jujube trees, which maintained or slightly increased the fruit yield, thus water use efficiency was significantly increased.     

分根区交替灌溉下水分亏缺对夏玉米生长和水分利用效率的影响

为探讨玉米节水灌溉方式的理论依据,通过桶栽试验研究了分根区交替灌溉(APRI)方式下,不同生育期水分亏缺对夏玉米生长、干物质累积质量、籽粒产量、总耗水量和水分利用效率(WUE)的影响.结果表明:常规灌溉(CI)方式下,苗期和全生育期水分亏缺的株高、叶面积和总耗水量均显著低于充分灌溉,但苗期水分亏缺可以提高WUE.相同的灌水方式和亏缺时期,中度亏缺的根干物质质量、地上和总干物质质量以及籽粒产量均显著高于重度亏缺;相同的灌水方式和灌水水平,苗期水分亏缺的株高、叶面积、根干物质质量、地上和总干物质质量以及总耗水量均显著的低于灌浆期,但籽粒产量和WUE均显著高于灌浆期;相同的灌水水平和亏缺时期,APRI的根干物质质量和总耗水量均显著低于CI的,但APRI的籽粒产量和水分利用效率均显著高于CI的.本研究结果表明,APRI在苗期进行中度亏缺有利于营养生长的调控,并达到节水高产,提高WUE的目的.     

Effects of partial root-zone irrigation on the nitrogen absorption and utilization of maize

To investigate the dynamic change of plant nitrogen (N) absorption and accumulation from different root zones under the partial root-zone irrigation (PRI), maize plants were raised in split-root containers and irrigated on both halves of the container (conventional irrigation, CI), on one side only (fixed partial root-zone irrigation, FPRI), or alternatively on one of two sides (alternate partial root-zone irrigation, APRI). And the isotope-labeled ¹⁵N-(NH₄)₂SO₄ was applied to one half of the container with (¹⁴NH₄)₂SO₄ to the other half so that N inflow rates can be tracked. Results showed that APRI treatment increased root N absorption in the irrigated zone significantly when compared to that of CI treatment. The re-irrigated half resumed high N inflow rate within 5 days after irrigation in APRI, suggesting that APRI had significant compensatory effect on N uptake. The amount of N absorption from two root zones of APRI was equal after two rounds of alternative irrigation (20 days). The recovery rate, residual and loss percentages of fertilizer-N applied to two zones were similar. As for FPRI treatment, the N accumulation in plant was mainly from the irrigated root zone. The recovery rate and loss percentage of fertilizer-N applied to the irrigated zone was higher and the residual percentage of fertilizer-N in soil was lower if compared to those of the non-irrigated zone. The recovery rate of fertilizer-N in APRI treatment was higher than that of the non-irrigated zone but lower than that of the irrigated zone in FPRI treatment. In total, both FPRI and APRI treatments increased N and water use efficiencies but only consumed about 70% of the irrigated water when compared to CI treatment.     

Antioxidation responses of maize roots and leaves to partial root-zone irrigation

Antioxidation responses of maize roots and leaves to water deficit and rewatering under partial root-zone irrigation (PRI) were investigated using a pot system. Plants were cultured using three irrigation methods, i.e. conventional irrigation (CI), alternate PRI (APRI) and fixed PRI (FPRI) with three different water regimes including W₁ (70% field capacity, FC), W₂ (50% FC) and W₃ (35% FC). Compared to CI, root peroxidases (POD) activity was enhanced in the irrigated root zone of FPRI and both root zones of APRI during mild water deficit. After rewatering, POD activity was increased in the dry root zone under FPRI but reduced in the roots under APRI. Roots in the dry zone and leaves under FPRI remained high superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity after rewatering. In contrast, SOD activity decreased in the roots and leaves under CI and APRI. Malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were increased in leaves and two sub-roots under FPRI during water deficit and remained higher after rewatering compared to those under CI and APRI. MDA contents in the tissues under APRI showed similar levels to those under CI. Compared to CI, APRI showed the same biomass production, achieving significantly higher water use efficiency under mild water deficit. The results suggested that plants under APRI experienced less oxidative stress or damage induced by water deficit.     

Water-use efficiency and physiological responses of maize under partial root-zone irrigation

Alternate partial root-zone irrigation (APRI) is a water-saving irrigation method but also can regulate crop physiological responses. This study investigated how water-use efficiency (WUE) and other physiological responses were regulated at different growth stages when maize plants were applied with APRI and how these responses were recovered to control levels when full irrigation was resumed. A pot experiment was carried out at two fertilization levels and with three irrigation methods at the jointing stage (29-38 days after sowing) or during the jointing and tasselling stages (29-77 days after sowing). The irrigation methods included the conventional irrigation (CI), APRI and fixed PRI (FPRI, watering was fixed to one side). Compared to the CI, APRI at the jointing stage for 10 days or during the jointing and tasselling stages for 49 days reduced water consumption by 10.6-12.9 and 31.7-32.4%, respectively, but did not reduce total dry mass accumulation significantly, thus increased canopy WUE by 10.4-13.6 and 41.2-41.8%, respectively. FPRI reduced the total dry mass significantly even though it also improved canopy WUE. APRI had slight effect on the leaf relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll (Chl), carotenoid (CAR), proline (Pro) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities from jointing to tasselling stages but recovery to the levels of CI was rapid after receiving full watering. In comparison, FPRI treatment significantly reduced leaf RWC, Chl and CAR contents and SOD and POD activities and increased the Pro and MAD contents. After receiving full watering, the above-mentioned physiological indexes in FPRI could not recover fully to the levels of CI. High fertilization treatment only increased leaf Chl content significantly and contributed little to the total dry mass accumulation. Our result suggests that APRI can make plants use water and nutrients more efficiently with better drought tolerance.     

不同灌溉制度对根层土壤盐分影响的模拟

以河套灌区沙壕渠灌域为例,采用SaltMod模型探讨了不同灌溉制度对作物根层土壤盐分的影响.利用2008-2010年基础资料对模型进行率定和验证并对研究区的根层土壤盐分进行模拟和预测.结果表明:在现有灌排条件下,沙壕渠灌域的盐渍化程度基本达到较为稳定的水平,且有轻微脱盐趋势,未来10 a后作物根层土壤盐分降低3%.生育期土壤水盐垂直交换运动强烈,对于控制土壤盐分而言,灌水量越小越好;作物根层土壤盐分随冬灌灌溉定额的增大而减小,不同冬灌灌溉定额对应的根层土壤盐分最初的增加量均较大,但增加的趋势随时间逐渐降低.根据当地作物种植结构,综合考虑节水灌溉、作物产量和根层土壤水盐环境,建议研究区较优的作物生育期综合净灌溉定额为2 700~3 500 m³/hm²,冬灌净灌溉定额为2 700 m³/hm².     

Is partial root-zone drying an effective irrigation technique to improve water use efficiency and fruit quality in field-grown wine grapes under semiarid conditions?

We investigated the effects of partial root-zone drying (PRD) applied at different periods on leaf water relations, vegetative development, fruit yield, must and wine quality in wine grapes (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Monastrell) during a 3-year field experiment in order to determine the importance of the timing of PRD application on physiological and agronomical vine response under semiarid conditions. Two irrigation treatments were applied: conventional drip irrigation (CI) and PRD. Both treatments received the same annual water quantity. Each year the PRD treatment was applied at different periods of the growth cycle. In 1999 PRD was applied from veraison to harvest (end July–early September); in 2000 from fruit set to harvest (mid June–early September); and in 2001 PRD from budburst to harvest (mid April–early September). Leaf water relations and gas exchange during the experimental period were not significantly affected by PRD treatment. In 1999 and 2000 there was no significant treatment effect on vegetative development, yield or fruit quality. However, in 2001 (when PRD was applied from budburst to harvest), reproductive and vegetative development was clearly altered in PRD vines. Fruit set percentage and vegetative development (shoot length, pruning weight and primary and lateral leaf area) were significantly increased in PRD vines compared to CI. This resulted in both higher yield (kg per vine) (43%) and water use efficiency (40%) compared to CI vines. Berry number per cluster and cluster weight were also significantly increased in PRD vines. Notwithstanding higher yield in PRD vines and a similar berry size, the must and wine quality was not significantly altered, indicating a higher synthesis and accumulation of photoassimilates and metabolites in the berries of PRD vines. We conclude that there was an positive effect on vegetative and reproductive growth when long-term PRD was applied from the beginning of growing season (budburst), suggesting that early onset of PRD is desirable to intensify PRD response under these semiarid conditions. Nevertheless from these results we need to further investigate the long- and short-term effects of PRD, with moderate water amounts, on vegetative and reproductive development such as flowering and fruit set processes in wine grapes.     

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.     

Comparative effects of partial root-zone drying and deficit irrigation on nitrogen uptake in potatoes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum tuberosum</Emphasis> L.)

The effects of partial root-zone drying (PRD) as compared with deficit irrigation (DI) and full irrigation (FI) on nitrogen (N) uptake and partitioning in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) were investigated. Potato plants were grown in split-root pots and were exposed to FI, PRD, and DI treatments at tuber bulking stage. Just before onset of the irrigation treatment, each plant received 0.6 g N (in the form of urea) with 5% of which was ¹⁵N-labeled. After 4 weeks of irrigation treatments (i.e., one drying/wetting cycles completed in the PRD treatment), the plants were harvested and plant dry mass and N content were determined. The results showed that although the plant dry mass was not affected by the irrigation treatments, due to a reduced water use by the plant, both the PRD and DI treatments significantly increased crop water use efficiency. Compared with the FI and DI plants, PRD plants had significantly higher N contents in the leaves, stems and tubers; whereas, the ¹⁵N content in the plant organs was similar for the FI, PRD, and DI plants. It is suggested that not the root N uptake efficiency but the soil N availability was enhanced by the PRD treatment.     

Evaluation of partial root-zone drying for potential field use as a deficit irrigation technique in commercial vineyards according to two different pipeline layouts

The use of partial root-drying (PRD) irrigation implies doubling pipelines instead of using a conventional single pipeline. However, pipelines can be spaced a short distance apart (e.g. 1 m) along the vine row (“D” layout) or joined with cable ties and laid as a single pipeline (“S” layout). Pipelines in “S” configuration are laid under the vine row, and in “D” at both sides of the vine row. These two different layouts can change the wetted soil zone and affect grapevine response to irrigation. The focus of this study was therefore on establishing the role of pipeline layout in vine-grape (cv. ‘Tempranillo’) response under semi-arid conditions in which PRD is managed as a deficit irrigation technique. Six irrigation treatments were applied, which resulted from the combination of Control (C, full irrigation), PRD and seasonal sustained deficit irrigation (SSDI), and “S” and “D” pipeline layouts. SSDI and PRD were irrigated to 50% C throughout the irrigation season, and C irrigation was scheduled according to a crop water balance technique. Midday stem water potential (Ψ_stem) and leaf conductance (g_l) indicated that, on the whole, PRD treatments had a slightly higher water status than SSDI treatments, but a substantially lower status than C treatments. Use of the “D” pipeline layout significantly reduced Ψ_stem in both PRD and SSDI treatments and in some instances for Control conditions, too. Berry yield, vine intercepted radiation, leaf abscisic acid (ABA) and g_l were highly correlated with Ψ_stem. Differences in water status between PRD-S and SSDI-S, according to a sub-surface irrigation test, seemed to be more related to changes in soil evaporation losses and irrigation efficiency than to any intrinsic PRD effect. PRD-S accounted for water savings equivalent to 10% according to the ratio between applied water and grape production for the SSDI-S treatment, whereas PRD-D berry yield was not significantly different from that associated with the SSDI-S treatment. In conclusion, under the growing conditions of this experiment, PRD-S offered the possibility of slightly improving water conservation when irrigation was applied to the soil surface.     

Water use efficiency and fruit quality of table grape under alternate partial root-zone drip irrigation

Two-year field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of alternate partial root-zone drip irrigation on fruit yield, fruit quality and water use efficiency of table grape (Vitis vinifera L. cv Rizamat) in the arid region of northwest China. Three irrigation treatments were included, i.e. CDI (conventional drip irrigation, both sides of the root-zone irrigated), ADI (alternate drip irrigation, both sides of the root-zone irrigated alternatively with half the water) and FDI (fixed drip irrigation, only one side of the root system irrigated with half the water). Results indicated that compared to CDI, ADI kept the same photosynthetic rate (P_n) but reduced transpiration rate, thus increased leaf water use efficiency (WUE) of table grape. And diurnal variation of leaf water potential showed no significant differences during 7.00 a.m. to 14.00 p.m. in both years. ADI also produced similar yield and improved WUE_ET by 26.7–46.4% and increased the percentage of edible grape by 3.88–5.78%, vitamin C content in the fruit by 15.3–42.2% and ratio of total soluble solid concentration/titrated acid in both years as compared to CDI. Thus ADI saved irrigation water, improved the water use efficiency and fruit quality of table grape without detrimental effect on the fruit yield in arid region.     

Financial feasibility of implementing regulated and sustained deficit irrigation in almond orchards

This study aims to assess the long-term economic viability of deficit irrigation (DI) strategies in almond trees (cv. Marta) grown in a semiarid area (southeast Spain). A discounted cash flow analysis (DCFA) was performed to determine the profitability of the different irrigation regimes. Four irrigation treatments were evaluated over the first 6 years of an almond plantation: (1) full irrigation (FI); (2) regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) receiving 40 % ETc during kernel-filling and 100 % ETc during the remainder of the growing season; (3) mild-to-moderate sustained deficit irrigation (SDI_mm), irrigated at 75 % ETc (first half of the experiment) and 60 % ETc (second half of the experiment) over the entire growing season; and (4) moderate-to-severe SDI (SDI_ms), irrigated at 60 % ETc (first half of the experiment) and 30 % ETc (second half of the experiment) over the whole growing season. Irrigation water profit was mainly determined by the annual volume of irrigation water applied (water costs are around 50 % of variable costs). DCFA indicates that RDI and SDI_mm are the most economically feasible treatments, whereas FI and SDI_ms presented a similar degree of profitability over the 6-year period. Simulation outputs derived for the whole useful life of the investment indicate that SDI_mm would be the most suitable irrigation treatment to be adopted by almond farmers in the study area. We conclude that in a context of water scarcity, DI is a financially feasible alternative to FI.     

Effects of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) water status on water consumption, vegetative growth and grape quality: An irrigation scheduling application to achieve regulated deficit irrigation

Precision irrigation in grapevines could be achieved using physiologically based irrigation scheduling methods. This paper describes an investigation on the effects of three midday stem water potential (midday Ψ_S) thresholds, imposed from post-setting, over water use, vegetative growth, grape quality and yield of grapevines cv. Cabernet Sauvignon. An experiment was carried out on a vineyard located at the Isla de Maipo, Metropolitana Region, Chile, throughout the 2002/03, 2003/04 and 2004/05 growing seasons. Irrigation treatments consisted in reaching the following midday Ψ_S thresholds: −0.8 to −0.95 MPa (T1); −1.0 to −1.2 MPa (T2) and −1.25 to −1.4 MPa (T3) from post-setting to harvest. Results showed significant differences in grape quality components among treatments and seasons studied. In average, T3 produced smallest berry diameter (6% reduction compared to T1), high skin to pulp ratio (13% increment compared to T1) and significant increments in soluble solids and anthocyanins. Improvements in grape quality attributes were attributed to mild grapevine water stress due to significant reductions in water application (46% for T2 and 89% for T3 less in average, both compared to T1). This study found significant correlations between midday Ψ_S and berry quality components, no detrimental effects on yield by treatments were found in this study. This research proposes a suitable physiological index and thresholds to manage RDI and irrigation scheduling on grapevines to achieve high quality grapes on mild water stress conditions.     

The effects of applied water at various fractions of measured evapotranspiration on water relations and vegetative growth of Thompson Seedless grapevines

Vegetative growth and water relations of Thompson Seedless grapevines in response to applied water amounts at various fractions of measured grapevine ET_c were quantified. Treatments ranged from no applied water up to 1.4 times the water used by vines growing in a weighing lysimeter. All treatments were irrigated at the same frequency as the vines in the lysimeter (whenever they used 2 mm of water), albeit at their respective fraction. Soil water content and midday leaf water potential (Ψ_l) were measured routinely in four of the irrigation treatments across years. The amount of water depleted in the soil profile ranged from 190 mm for the 0.2 treatment in 1993 to no water depletion for the 1.4 treatment in 1992. The irrigation treatments significantly affected midday Ψ_l, total shoot length, leaf area per vine, pruning weights and trunk diameter; as applied water decreased so did vegetative growth. Pruning weights were a linear function of the seasonal, mean midday Ψ_l across growing seasons. The application of water amounts in excess of evapotranspiration negatively affected vegetative growth some of the years. A companion paper will demonstrate that over-irrigation can negatively affect reproductive growth of this grape cultivar due to excess vegetative growth.     

Water relations,growth and yield of Fino lemon trees under regulated deficit irrigation

Fino lemon trees (Citrus limon L. Burm. fil.) on sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.), growing on a low water retention capacity soil, were submitted to three different irrigation treatments over four years: 100% ETc all year (T-0), 25% ETc all year except during the rapid fruit growth period when 100% ETc was applied (T-1) and 100% ETc all year, except during the rapid fruit growth period when 70% ETc was applied (T-2). A water saving of 30 and 20% was achieved in the T-1 and T-2 treatments, respectively. The plant responses to irrigation treatments were similar in all the years studied. Leaf water potential decreased during deficit irrigation periods in T-1 and T-2 treatments. Larger differences were found in values taken at predawn ( _pd) than at midday ( _md), indicating that _pd is a more useful indicator of plant water status. There was neither osmotic nor elastic adjustment in response to deficit irrigation treatment. A clear separation between the main periods of shoot and fruit growth was found, which can be considered an advantageous characteristic in applying regulated deficit irrigation strategies. Onset of the critical period of rapid fruit growth could be determined precisely by considering the decrease in relative fruit growth rate values. T-2 treatment did not induce a significant reduction in total yield, but it caused a delay in reaching marketable lemon fruit size. T-1 treatment did not affect total yield, with a reduction in yield on the first pick occurring in only one year. Chemical characteristics of lemon fruit were not significantly modified by irrigation treatment.     

调亏灌溉条件下冬小麦籽粒灌浆特征及其模拟模型

在移动式防雨棚下,采用盆栽土培方法,以冬小麦（Triticum aestivum L.）为试验材料进行了调亏灌溉（regulated deficit irrigation,RDI）试验研究,目的在于了解RDI对冬小麦籽粒灌浆特性的影响,并对其进行模拟,为建立冬小麦RDI指标与模式提供理论依据与技术参数。试验采用二因素（水分调亏阶段和调节亏水度）随机区组设计。结果表明,RDI条件下冬小麦籽粒灌浆过程符合“缓-快-慢”的“S”型生长曲线,并可用Richards方程进行较好的模拟;不同水分调亏处理间最大灌浆速率及其出现时间、平均灌浆速率、灌浆持续期、活跃生长期和3个灌浆阶段灌浆持续期,以及最终千粒质量等特征参数差异达显著水平;其中,越冬期轻度调亏具有最高的平均灌浆速率（每百粒0.234 g/d）、最大灌浆速率（每百粒0.369 g/d）、最高的第3阶段灌浆速率（每百粒0.099 g/d）和最高的千粒质量（58.46 g）。经相关和逐步回归分析灌浆参数与千粒质量的关系,结果表明,多数参数间存在着显著或极显著的相关性,其中,与千粒质量有显著或极显著相关关系的参数有最大灌浆速率、平均灌浆速率、活跃生长期和第3阶段灌浆速率等。     

Effects of fixed partial root-zone drying irrigation and soil texture on water and solute dynamics in calcareous soils and corn yield

Water dynamics and salt distribution in the soil were studied under Fixed Partial Root zone Drying irrigation (FPRD) conditions in corn fields in Northern Greece. FPRD irrigation technique was applied without deficit treatment in two calcareous soils, a sandy clay loam and a sandy loam. Soil water content was recorded in the vertical profile of 0.6 m with the use of capacitance sensors in the row and interrow positions of plants. Salt built-up was monitored to the depth of the root zone, bi-weekly, by measuring electrical conductivity (EC_e) and the concentrations of soluble cations Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ of the saturation extract on irrigated and non irrigated interrow positions. Soil moisture distribution and salt built-up in soil were used to evaluate the potentials and constraints of FPRD efficiency to sustain plant growth and crop production as a low cost drip irrigation technique. The results indicated that FPRD application on both soils was capable of supplying sufficient amounts of water on plant row. Soil analyses showed that salts accumulated to high levels in the soil surface and decreased in depth at the non irrigated interrow positions. Spatial and temporal variability of salt movement and distribution in the soil profile of 0.6 m were ascribed to soil textural differences. The development and yield of corn plants for both soils reached the usual standards for the area with a minor decrease in the sandy loam soil.     

Water use and yield responses of cotton to alternate partial root-zone drip irrigation in the arid area of north-west China

A field experiment was carried out over 2 years to investigate the effect of partial root-zone irrigation applied using drip irrigation on the water use and yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) in oasis fields of arid north-west China. Two irrigation treatments, i.e., conventional drip irrigation (CDI, both sides of plant row watered) or alternate drip irrigation (ADI, both sides of plant row alternatively watered) were applied under plastic mulch. Three irrigation levels (i.e., 15, 22.5, 30 mm during 2004 and 12, 18, 24 mm during 2005) were applied at each irrigation. Monitoring of soil water contents in the ADI treatment indicated a change in root-zone uptake in response to the irrigation method, although there existed some lateral soil water movement from the wetted side to the dry side after each watering. Stomatal conductance in ADI was lower than that of CDI when compared at the same irrigation level. Reduced stomatal conductance and water loss resulted in higher water use efficiency (WUE) in the ADI treatment. About 31-33% less total irrigation water was applied using the ADI method when compared to that of the CDI treatment with a similar seed cotton yield. ADI also yielded 11% more pre-frost seed cotton than CDI in 2005, indicating a better lint quality and higher price. These results suggest that ADI should be a useful water-saving irrigation method in arid oasis fields where cotton production is heavily dependent on irrigation and water resources are scarce.     

The effects of contrasted deficit irrigation strategies on the fruit growth and kernel quality of mature almond trees

The aim of this study was to quantify and compare the effects of two different deficit irrigation (DI) strategies (regulated deficit irrigation, or RDI, and partial rootzone drying, PRD) on almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb) fruit growth and quality. Five irrigation treatments, ranging from moderate to severe water restriction, were applied: (i) full irrigation (FI), irrigated to satisfy the maximum crop water requirements (ET_c); (ii) regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), receiving 50% of ET_c during the kernel-filling stage and at 100% ET_c throughout the remaining periods; and three PRD treatments – PRD₇₀, PRD₅₀ and PRD₃₀ – irrigated at 70%, 50% and 30% ET_c, respectively, during the whole growth season. The DI treatments did not affect the overall fruit growth pattern compared to the FI treatment, but they had a negative impact on the final kernel dry weight for the most stressed treatments. The allocation of water to the different components of the fruit, characterized by the fresh weight ratio of kernel to fruit, appeared to be the process most clearly affected by DI. Attributes of the kernel chemical composition (lipid, protein, sugar and organic acid contents) were not negatively affected by the intensity of water deprivation. Overall, our results indicated that PRD did not present a clear advantage (or disadvantage) over RDI with regard to almond fruit growth and quality.     

Financial analysis of wine grape production using regulated deficit irrigation and partial-root zone drying strategies

Cost-benefit analysis was performed to determine the profitability of producing wine grapes under different irrigation regimes. Vines irrigated by regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and partial root-zone drying (PRD) were compared with vines grown under full irrigation in a typical vineyard in a semiarid environment with scarce water resources (south-eastern Spain) during three consecutive years. Five irrigation treatments were applied. The Control treatment irrigated at 60% of the ETc (Crop evapotranspiration) throughout the orchard cycle. PRD-1 and RDI-1 provided deficit irrigation from fruit set to harvest (irrigated 30% ETc) and post-harvest (45% ETc). PRD-2 and RDI-2 provided deficit irrigation from fruit set to harvest (irrigated 15% ETc) and post-harvest (45% ETc). From an economic point of view, only the Control, PRD-1 and RDI-1 treatments were economically viable since their profitability indicators were positive, although low, especially PRD-1. The more severe deficit irrigated treatments (PRD-2 and RDI-2) were unviable. The most profitable treatment was the Control which had a Net Margin/total cost ratio (NM/C) (representing the overall profitability of the vineyard) of 25.37% compared with the 1.90% of RDI-1 and 0.57% of PRD-1. The threshold price of water indicates that only the Control remains profitable with higher water prices of up to 0.46 € m⁻³. When the cost-benefit analysis took into account the extra quality achieved in PRD-2 and RDI-2, it indicated that these treatments, which were otherwise economically unviable, achieved high returns (17 and 16%, respectively) and were close to the Control treatment. Thus, a low or moderate bonus that encourages extra berry quality for premium wine production would make deficit irrigation practices profitable. Moreover, the financial indices estimated suggest that in the present situation, and with our soil and climatic conditions, PRD is less economically profitable (higher installation cost, lower NM/C, and threshold price of water) than RDI under the same conditions.