A comparative study of young ‘Thompson Seedless’ grapevines under drip and furrow irrigation. I. Root and soil water distributions

Soilwater distribution, soilwater extraction, and root distributions were determined for young grapevines (Vitis vinifera L. cultivar ‘Thompson Seedless’) grown under drip and furrow irrigation near Fresno, CA, USA. Soilwater content and extraction was determined to a depth of 0.9 m by neutron scattering from an array of nine access tubes installed throughout one-quarter of the soil volume available to each vine. Root distribution was determined from root intersections with vertical planes established parallel and perpendicular to the vine row. Drip irrigation was applied daily according to estimated evapotranspiration, and furrow irrigation was managed according to 50% depletion of the plant available soil water. Drip and furrow irrigated vines showed similar water status and shoot growth patterns. There was a confined soil wetted zone beneath the emitter discharge that largely coincided with a confined and shallow root system of drip irrigated vines. In contrast, furrow irrigated vines had a deeper and more widespread root system. Differences between water applied and soilwater content 3 days after irrigation suggested large water losses by evaporation during that period for furrow irrigated vines. Consumptive use of furrow irrigated vines was 12.5% greater than drip irrigated vines, but similar irrigation efficiencies were obtained for both irrigation systems when soilwater status was carefully monitored. Water applications for both irrigation systems were less than 50% of the longterm mean for irrigation deliveries to farms in the area. Thus, the results indicate that a significant potential for water savings exists in the San Joaquin Valley by means of irrigation management. It is concluded that relatively high and similar irrigation efficiency can be obtained with both drip and furrow irrigation of young grapevines in arid and semiarid regions when careful management is used.     

Effects of deficit irrigation on fruit maturity and quality of ‘Braeburn’ apple

Effects of deficit irrigation (DI) on fruit maturity at harvest, ripening characteristics, and changes in fruit quality during and after storage of ‘Braeburn’ apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) were studied in two experiments. In Experiment 1, irrigation treatments were a commercially irrigated control (CI), an early deficit irrigation (EDI) applied from 63 to 118 days after full bloom (DAFB), and a late deficit irrigation (LDI) applied from 118 DAFB to final harvest on 201 DAFB. Irrigation treatments in Experiment 2 were a commercially irrigated control (CI) and a whole-season deficit irrigation (WDI). These DI treatments all reduced volumetric soil water content. The LDI and WDI advanced fruit ripening but EDI did not. All DI treatments increased fruit total soluble solids (TSS) and firmness regardless of maturity but had little or no effect on titratable acidity. The differences in TSS started during fruit growth much earlier than the onset of ripening and were maintained during and following storage at 0°C. The differences in firmness also started during fruit growth and were maintained for at least 10 weeks of storage at 0°C.     

Fruit yield and water use efficiency of eggplant (Solanum melongema L.) as influenced by different quantities of nitrogen and water applied through drip and furrow irrigation

Elucidation of the effects of different quantities of nitrogen (N) and water applied through drip and furrow irrigation on fruit yield and water use efficiency (WUE) in eggplant is essential for formulating proper management practices for sustainable production. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the independent and interactive effects of four levels of N and different quantities of water applied through drip as well as furrow irrigation on eggplant fruit yield, agronomic efficiency of N and WUE. In the present field investigation, ridge planting with each furrow and alternate furrow irrigation were compared with drip irrigation at three levels of water: 100%, 75% and 50% of each furrow irrigation (designated as D_1.0, D_0.75 and D_0.5). The four levels of N studied were 90, 120, 150 and 180 kg N ha⁻¹ (designated as N₉₀, N₁₂₀, N₁₅₀ and N₁₈₀). The eggplant hybrid BH-1 was transplanted on August 5, 2004 at the spacing of 60 cm × 45 cm.     

吐鲁番市日光温室蔬菜不同种植模式水分利用效率调查

为明确吐鲁番市设施蔬菜水分高效利用的合理灌溉方式,调查了沟灌和滴灌对吐鲁番市日光温室早春茬哈密瓜、黄瓜、辣椒和番茄产量、效益和水分利用效率的影响。结果表明：在吐鲁番市,滴灌哈密瓜每667 m² 产量比沟灌高100 kg,每667 m²纯收入多1 017.6 元;滴灌黄瓜、辣椒和番茄每667 m²产量和经济效益均稍低于沟灌;但滴灌哈密瓜、黄瓜、辣椒和番茄的水分利用效率和水分经济利用效率比沟灌高1～3 倍。综合考虑,滴灌是吐鲁番市日光温室蔬菜生产中应重点推广的灌溉方式。     

灌溉方式对日光温室黄瓜不同生育期水分分配的影响

试验以津育5号黄瓜为试材,研究了基于传统畦灌的不同灌溉方式对灌溉水在黄瓜不同生育期水分分配规律的影响。结果表明:滴灌和渗灌减少了水分深层渗漏量和土面蒸发量,增加了植株蒸腾量,促使更多的水分被植株吸收利用。滴灌和渗灌分别比常规灌溉增产11.6%和15.3%,水分利用效率提高49.9%和68.7%。     

Growth,yield and water use efficiency response of greenhouse-grown hot pepper under Time-Space deficit irrigation

Greenhouse-grown hot pepper was used to investigate the effect of Time-Space deficit irrigation (TSDI), a newly developing irrigation technique based on regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and partial rootzone drying (PRD), by measuring plant growth, yield and irrigation water use efficiency. The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of three factors, organized following an orthogonal L₉ (3)⁴ test design with four growing stages. Three irrigation strategies (conventional furrow irrigation with full-water when soil water content was lower by 80% of field capacity (F), conventional furrow irrigation with 50% of full-water (D) and alternate furrow irrigation with 50% of full-water (P)) as the main plot factor were applied to select the optimum irrigation parameter at different stages of crop development, the treatment in which irrigation water was applied to both sides of root system when soil water content was lower by 80% of field capacity during all stages was considered as control (FFFF). Water consumption showed some significant effect of irrigation treatment during the growing period of different drought stress patterns application, and therefore decreased in these treatments to a level around 54.68–70.33% of FFFF. Total dry mass was reduced by 1.17–38.66% in TSDI treatments compared to FFFF. However, the root–shoot ratio of FFFF was lower than other treatments and the differences from FFFF and other TSDI treatments were statistically significant. The highest total fresh fruit yield (19.57 T ha⁻¹) was obtained in the FFFF treatment. All deficit irrigations increased the water use efficiency of hot pepper from a minimum of 1.33% to a maximum of 54.49%. At harvest, although there was difference recorded as single fruit weight and single fruit volume were reduced under the TSDI treatments, total soluble solids concentration of fruit harvested under the water-deficit treatments were higher compared to FFFF.     

樱桃番茄在滴灌栽培时氮肥的合理施用量研究

试验结果表明,樱桃番茄在滴灌栽培时,比常规畦灌栽培条件下生长发育得更好,能提高肥料利用率。在产量相同时,滴灌栽培能节省N肥18.75%;产量随着N肥的增加而增加,达到一定用量后由于植株营养生长过剩,产量反而下降。滴灌栽培合理施用N肥时,可以提高果实的品质。     

不同水氮水平对全立架露地栽培伽师瓜光合特性与水分利用效率的影响

探讨不同水氮水平对全立架露地栽培伽师瓜膨果初期挂果叶片光合特性及水分利用效率日变化的影响,以期为全立架露地栽培伽师瓜的合理水氮管理提供依据。田间试验于2012年在新疆全立架栽培伽师瓜主产县岳普湖县进行,灌水定额3个水平为:5250、6750、8250m3·hm-2;施氮量3个水平为:0、225、375kg·hm-2;灌溉方式为沟灌。结果表明:全立架露地栽培伽师瓜膨果初期挂果叶片净光合速率日变化及气孔导度日变化均呈双峰曲线型,不同水氮水平下净光合速率的峰值分别出现在11:00-13:00和17:00左右,光合"午休"出现在15:00左右。6750、8250m3·hm-2的灌水量提高叶片净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率的效果明显,且具有较低的气孔限制值,但8250m3·hm-2高灌水量的瞬时水分利用效率低于6750m3·hm-2灌水量6.7%;适宜的灌水量下,225、375kg·hm-2的施氮量可提高叶片的净光合速率和瞬时水分利用效率,且程度相近。适宜喀什地区全立架露地栽培伽师瓜膨果初期挂果叶片进行光合作用的水氮组合为施氮素225kg·hm-2、灌水6750m3·hm-2,其在获得较高净光合速率的同时,也有助于水分利用效率的保持。     

不同灌水量对日光温室番茄产量、品质和水分利用效率的影响

通过温室膜下滴灌试验,研究了不同灌水量对番茄产量、品质和水分利用率的影响。结果表明:灌水量对番茄产量和果实品质有显著的影响。灌水量为375mm的处理产量达到138108kg/hm~2,比对照增产74.96%,达到极显著水平,水分利用率为1.60kg/m~3;降低灌水量可提高果实中硝酸盐、可溶性糖和维生素C等可溶物的含量。     

不同灌溉方法对日光温室番茄生长、品质和产量的影响

为探讨科学合理的灌溉技术，用田间小区栽培试验的方法，研究了日光温室栽培番茄，普通渗灌、节点渗灌、滴灌和沟灌等4种灌溉方法对番茄生长、品质和产量的影响。结果表明：不同灌溉方法对番茄的株高、茎粗均无明显影响，而对果实膨大速度影响显著。其中，第一穗果果径的大小顺序是滴灌〉普通渗灌〉节点渗灌〉沟灌；第二、第三穗果果径的大小顺序相同，均为普通渗灌〉节点渗灌〉滴灌〉沟灌。不同灌溉方法番茄果实的Vc、可溶性糖含量以及总酸度和糖酸比均有显著差异，总的来看滴灌、普通渗灌和节点渗灌的Vc、可溶性糖含量较高而总酸度较低。番茄产量的顺序为普通渗灌〉节点渗灌〉滴灌〉沟灌。节点渗灌水分生产效率最高。由此可以得出，从灌溉方法的效果而论保护地栽培番茄应优选节点渗灌。     

A comparison of the combined effect of water stress and crop load on fruit growth during different phenological stages in young peach trees.

Summary

The combined effect of fruit load and water stress on fruit water content and dry-matter accumulation was analysed for three phenological stages of fruit growth. Irrigation treatments were no irrigation during Stage I (NI-SI), Stage II (NI-SII), or Stage III (NI-SIII) compared with a fully irrigated control. Three thinning treatments were imposed within each irrigation treatment resulting in fruit loads ranging from low to high. Fruit harvests at the end of Stage I, II and III were used to determine total tree fruit fresh and dry matter after each stage of fruit development. Fruit water accumulation was highly sensitive to the effect of water stress at high fruit loads in all fruit developmental phases, but reductions in fruit water content were more apparent during Stages II and III than during Stage I. On the other hand, fruit dry-matter accumulation was relatively insensitive to water stress at any fruit load level and developmental stage. However, reductions in dry-matter accumulation were obtained during Stage III from those trees that were not irrigated during Stage I (NISI). Since these reductions occurred only for mid-to-high fruit load conditions, the decreases in fruit growth during Stage III appeared to be related to a carbon source limitation. The possible reasons for this source limitation are discussed.     

Influence of soil hydrothermal environment,irrigation regime,and different mulches on the growth and fruit quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa L.) plants in a sub-temperate climate

Summary

The present study was undertaken over two consecutive years under sub-temperate climatic conditions in the mid-hill region of Himachal Pradesh (30°52'N, 77°11'E; 1,175 m asl) on loamy sand Inceptisols. The aim was to investigate the effects of irrigation and mulch material on the growth, flowering, fruiting behaviour, relative leaf water content (RLWC), yield, and quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa L. ‘Chandler’). The drip irrigation treatments included irrigation with 100, 80, or 60% (coded 1.0, 0.8, and 0.6 V) of the total water requirement. Both mulches increased the minimum soil temperature to a depth of 5 cm. The drip and surface irrigation treatments raised the minimum soil temperature by 3.0º – 5.4ºC, and lowered the maximum temperature by 2.2º – 5.8ºC compared to the rainfed control. Hay mulch was more effective in raising the minimum temperature and lowering the maximum soil temperature than black polyethylene mulch. Moisture conservation increased by 2.8 – 12.8% under the black polyethylene mulch compared to the no-mulch treatment. Drip and surface irrigation methods, as well as mulching, were found to be effective for enhancing the growth, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), fruit yield, and quality of strawberry plants. However, the number of crowns per plant, the percentage berry set, the RLWC, root length density (RLD), and fruit yield were highest under treatment M3I3 [i.e., black polyethylene mulch plus drip irrigation (1.0 V)] by 565.5%, 94.5%, 32.8%, 394.5%, and 549.6%,respectively, compared to the no mulch plus rainfed control. The maximum IWUE values for plant biomass [1.39 metric tonnes (MT) ha^–1 m^–1] and fruit yield (2.79 MT ha^–1 m^–1) were recorded under treatment M3I5 [i.e., black polyethylene mulch plus drip irrigation (0.6 V)]; whereas, the lowest values (0.39 and 0.68 MT ha^–1 m^–1, respectively) were observed using treatment M1I2 (i.e., without mulch, plus surface irrigation). Fruit size, weight, sugar content, and anthocyanin content increased significantly under treatment M2I3 [i.e., hay mulch, plus drip irrigation (1.0 V)] compared with all other treatments. Total soluble solids (TSS) contents and total acidity (TA) were highest under treatment M1I1 (i.e., no mulch, plus rainfed). A linear regression model could describe the variations in quality parameters of strawberry plants grown under sub-temperate climatic conditions. Root density was found to be the best indicator with which estimate fruit quality.     

Effect of different drip irrigation methods and fertilization on growth,physiology and water use of young apple tree

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of three drip irrigation methods (i.e. conventional drip irrigation (CDI), both sides of the root-zone irrigated with full watering, alternate drip irrigation (ADI), both sides of the root-zone irrigated alternatively with half of the full watering, and fixed drip irrigation (FDI), only one side of the root-zone irrigated with half of the full watering) on growth, physiology, root hydraulic conductance and water use of young apple tree under different nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) fertilization (i.e. CK (no fertilization), N₁ (0.2 g N/kg), N₂ (0.4 g N/kg), P₁ (0.2 g P₂O₅/kg) and P₂ (0.4 g P₂O₅/kg)). Results show that compared to CDI, ADI and FDI reduced mean root dry mass, daily transpiration, root hydraulic conductance (K_r), leaf photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance of young apple tree by 6.9 and 27.7, 29.3 and 45.0, 6.8 and 37.9, 2.5 and 4.8, 32.6 and 33.0, 22.1 and 22.3%, but increased leaf water use efficiency (WUE) by 31.3 and 29.8%, respectively when they saved irrigation water by 50%. Compared to the CK, N or P fertilization significantly increased K_r, and K_r was increased with the increased N or P fertilization level. There were parabolic correlations between K_r and root dry mass, daily transpiration and stomatal conductance. Our results indicate that ADI reduced transpiration rate significantly, but it did not reduce photosynthesis rate and K_r significantly, thus alternate drip irrigation improved WUE and the regulation ability of water balance in plants.     

Effectiveness of water pillow irrigation method on yield and water use efficiency on hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

A study was conducted to elucidate the effect of water pillow (WP) irrigation method, a new alternative method to furrow irrigation, on the yield and water use efficiency (WUE) of hot pepper in a semi-arid climatic condition. In this research, treatments used were: (i) WP method and its 7-day irrigation interval (WP₇), (ii) WP method and its 9-day irrigation interval (WP₉), (iii) WP method and its 11-day irrigation interval (WP₁₁) and (iv) furrow irrigation (FI) method and its 5-day irrigation interval (control) were employed. Although the plants were grown under different irrigation methods and interval conditions, there were no statistical differences in yield and biomass of hot pepper plants between FI and WP treatments (P < 0.05). Water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) values significantly increased with the application of WP irrigation method (P < 0.05). The highest WUE and IWUE values obtained from WP₁₁ treatment in both years. As a result, we conclude that WP method is a way to save water and increase the yield in semi-arid areas where climatic conditions require repeated irrigation in the hot pepper production area.     

Energy partitioning and evapotranspiration of hot pepper grown in greenhouse with furrow and drip irrigation methods

Studying crop energy partitioning and evapotranspiration for different irrigation methods is important in optimizing efficient water-saving irrigation, developing suitable irrigation scheduling and improving crop water use efficiency. Two experiments were conducted to compare the energy partitioning and evapotranspiration of hot pepper (Capsicum annum L.) between furrow and drip irrigation methods under two adjacent solar greenhouses in northwest China. Results indicate that irrigation method affected the energy partitioning and evapotranspiration of hot pepper plants and these results were corroborated in a greenhouse study. Compared to drip irrigation, furrow irrigation increased daytime average net radiation (R_n), latent (λET) and sensible (H) heat fluxes by 12–29, 37–53 and 9–23%, respectively, but decreased soil heat flux (G) by 7–19%. Furrow irrigation also resulted in higher λET/R_n and lower H/R_n and G/R_n and increased total evapotranspiration by 55.5% and produced a higher crop coefficient. Total evapotranspiration was 562.3 and 361.6 mm over whole growth stage for furrow and drip irrigation methods, respectively. And drip irrigation increased the total yield and water use efficiency by 18.2 and 80.4%, respectively, before late fruit bearing and harvesting stage. In conclusion, drip irrigation is an effective and water-saving irrigation method in hot pepper production to be used in greenhouse.     

Nitrogen and water use efficiency of zucchini squash for a plastic mulch bed system on a sandy soil

Zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) is an economically important vegetable crop in Florida. Typically, it is intensively managed with high inputs of fertiliser and irrigation water. Our objectives were to evaluate the interaction between fertilisation rates and irrigation treatments, and to quantify nitrate leaching in a plastic mulched/drip irrigated zucchini squash production systems. Three studies were carried out. The first study evaluated different depth placement of drip and fertigation lines on plant growth and fruit yield. Treatments included SUR (both irrigation and fertigation drip lines placed on the surface); S&S (both lines buried 0.15 m deep); and SDI (irrigation line placed 0.15 m below the fertigation line on the surface). The second and third studies compared three different N-rates and different soil moisture sensor-based irrigation strategies. Nitrate-N leaching was monitored by zero tension drainage lysimeters and soil samples. N leaching increased when irrigation and N-rates increased, with values ranging from 2 to 45 kg ha⁻¹ of N. Use of SDI increased yields by 16% compared to the S&S treatment, and reduced nitrate leaching by 93% while increasing the water use efficiency by 75% compared to a fixed 2-h irrigation event per day treatment. Application of N above the standard recommended rate of 145 kg ha⁻¹ did not increase yield, although yields were reduced at the lowest N-rate. The use of soil moisture sensors for automatic irrigation control reduced irrigation application and minimized nitrogen leaching. In addition, combining the soil moisture controlled SDI system that had surface applied fertigation resulted in similar or higher yields, while reducing both water use and potential N leaching because of improved nutrient retention in the root zone.     

春大棚番茄不同灌溉模式下节水栽培效果初探

为提高番茄种植过程中灌溉水利用率,减少水资源浪费现象,以常规膜下沟灌为对照,在塑料大棚内开展春茬番茄设施栽培3种灌溉模式筛选试验。通过综合数据比较,滴箭灌溉模式表现较好,番茄全生育期667 m~2灌溉量为270 m~3,比对照节水11%;667 m~2产量最高,为6 037 kg,且品质指标都高于其他2个处理,建议进行推广示范。     

Effect of two irrigation rates on yield,incidence of blossom-end rot,mineral content and free amino acid levels in tomato cultivated under drip irrigation using saline water

Summary

An experiment investigated the effects of two rates of irrigation, one of which reflected a substantial degree of water stress, on the mineral content, free amino acid levels and incidence of blossom-end rot (BER) in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. `Durinta'). The plants were grown in the open with drip irrigation using saline water from a well (mean EC_w 5.2 dS m²¹). The yield per plant was higher and fewer fruit were affected by BER in the treatment involving the higher level of irrigation. The fruit of the first and fifth truss, and the leaves immediately above, were analysed for their macronutrient, micronutrient and free amino acid content. The macronutrient leaf and fruit content hardly showed any difference, only the N concentration in fruit being significantly affected in the water stressed plants, in which the levels were higher. The Ca concentration in the stylar portion of mature fruit, which is related with the incidence of BER, was not significantly affected by the level of irrigation. As regards micronutrients, only the Fe (in leaf and fruit of the first truss), Cu (in leaf of the first truss), Zn (in leaf and fruit of the first truss, and leaf of the fifth truss) and Mn (in leaf of the first truss) concentrations differed significantly. The total free amino acid leaf content was similar in both irrigation treatments. However, the total free amino acid content of fruit, significantly those of the first truss, was higher in the less irrigated treatment. The amino acids: aspartic acid (only from the first.truss), glutamic acid, proline and alanine had high concentrations in the fruit of the less irrigated plants, while the g-aminobutyric acid and phenylalanine (only from the fifth truss) concentrations were higher in fruit of the more irrigated plants.     

Effects of deficit irrigation strategies on cluster microclimate for improving fruit composition of Moscatel field-grown grapevines

The grapevine plays a very important role in the economic, social and cultural sectors of many regions; however vineyards are often grown in regions under stressful conditions and thus they are vulnerable to climate change. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of partial root-zone drying (PRD) irrigation on vine water relations, vegetative growth, plant microclimate, berry composition and yield components, compared to conventional deficit irrigation (DI, 50% ETc), full irrigation (FI, 100% of ETc) and non-irrigated vines (NI). The study was undertaken in mature ‘Moscatel’ grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) grown in Pegões, South of Portugal. Compared to the other irrigated treatments, PRD vines showed a better microclimate at the cluster zone with higher incident photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). Within the more open canopies of NI and PRD treatments, berry temperatures were higher than those of denser ones (DI and FI). Compared to the conventional irrigation technique the better microclimate observed in PRD vines was a consequence of a reduction in vine growth, where lower values of leaf layer number, leaf area, canopy wideness, water shoots and shoot weight were observed. In PRD vines we observed a tendency to a development of a deeper root system, while DI and FI showed a more homogeneous root distribution throughout the different soil layers. PRD showed an improvement in berry quality with higher values of flavour precursors, and total phenols concentration without any significant yield reduction compared to DI and FI.     

Subsurface drip irrigation scheduling for cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) grown in solar greenhouse based on 20 cm standard pan evaporation in Northeast China

The experiment was conducted in a solar greenhouse to determine the optimum irrigation frequency and quantity for cucumber under subsurface drip irrigation based on evaporation from a 20 cm diameter pan (E_p) placed above the crop canopy. Two irrigation intervals (I1: 4-day and I2: 8-day) and three plant-pan coefficients (K_cp1: 0.6; K_cp2: 0.8 and K_cp3: 1.0) were compared. Crop evapotranspiration (ET) and fruits yield increased with the increasing of irrigation water. The K_cp3 treatments had the highest yield, while K_cp2 had the highest irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) and water use efficiency (WUE) values in both irrigation intervals. The yields of K_cp2 treatments decreased only 4.87% and 5.93% in both intervals though total irrigation water decreased 14.3% compared to K_cp3 treatment. Irrigation water amount significantly (P < 0.01) and positively affected the fruit number and fruit water content, whereas significantly and negatively affected the soluble sugar (SS), Vitamin C (Vc) and free amino acid (FAA) content in fruits. In conclusion, I2K_cp2 (0.8E_p with 8-day interval) was the optimum irrigation schedule for cumber plants grown in solar greenhouse under subsurface drip irrigation in arid and semi-arid areas that are in lack of water resources.