Water distribution, application efficiency and growth of young apple plants under drip irrigation in mid-Himalayas

Abstract

The soil water distribution in both 0-0.15 and 0.15-0.30 m depths was uniform under drip irrigation and decreased as soil depth and distance from drippers increased. The matric suction under this system did not vary rapidly and remained near 41-45 kPa, whereas, in basin flooding it varied rapidly from 33 to 77 kPa. Root growth and distribution was not influenced by any of the treatment. The favourable and uniform distribution of soil water under drip irrigation was reflected in the plant growth as shoot growth and trunk girth were highest. The increase in shoot growth and trunk girth under drip irrigation over rainfed conditions was 92 and 12 per cent, respectively. Whereas, under basin flooding the increase in shoots growth and trunk girth was 32 and 6 per cent only. Water application efficiency of drip irrigation system over basin flooding was found to be 44 per cent. Hence, drip system of irrigation can be a very effective and efficient method of water application for apple orchards of mid-Himalayas.