Response of different soil moisture regimes on sweet cherry under Karewa land of Kashmir valley

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted to ascertain the soil moisture regime under drip irrigation for Karewa land in sweet cherry cv. Bigarreau Noir Grossa with reference to qualitative and quantitative attributes. Results indicated that maximum yield of 73.26 kg / tree was recorded with 80% ET as compared to 100% ET which registered only 64.73 kg/ tree yield. The minimum yield of 50.50 kg/tree was noted when irrigation level was maintained at 40% ET. Further, the maximum fruit weight (4.51 g) was achieved with 100% ET followed by 80% ET and it decreased gradually to a minimum of 3.08 g with 40% ET. As far as qualitative characters are concerned, the maximum TSS of 23.02oBrix was observed when the irrigation level was maintained at 80% ET. This treatment also gave the highest TSS: acid ratio indicating an improvement in fruit quality. Fruit cracking was significantly reduced by maintaining the irrigation regime in between 80% (2.72%) to 100% (1.96%) ET as compared to irrigation level maintained at 60% (10.91%) and 40% ET (16.25%), indicating 80% reduction in fruit cracking. Sweet cherry plant with irrigation level maintained at 80% ET showed better nutrient uptake. The leaf Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn contents were maximum with 80% ET followed by 100% ET and minimum was recorded with 40% ET.