The Effect of Deficit Irrigation on Water Use, Yield, Yield Components and Fruit Quality in Rio-Red Grapefruit Orchard

Abstract

The research was carried out in 2011 and 2012 on the plot of the ‘Rio-Red‘grapefruit of Çukurova University. In this study, it was aimed to determine evaluation of irrigation program in Rio-Red Grapefruit Orchard and the effects of water content, water use, tree and fruit development, yield and fruit quality characteristics(pomology) applied to Rio-Red subspecies trees at different levels. Three different irrigation schemes I100, I70 and I50waterwas applied. The average amount of irrigation water applied to grapefruit trees ranged from 332,48 mm (I100) to 128,69 mm (I50). The actual plant water consumption was found to be between 935,6 mm (I100) and 729,9 mm (I50) according to the water budget method. In the first year of the study, yields per irrigation ranged from 306 (I70) to 330 (I50) kg per tree. And they field per irrigation ranged from 59,6 kg (I100) and 108,5 kg (I50) for the second year. The total water use efficiencies obtained in 2011 were between WUEEt 5,18 kg/m3and 6,34 kg/m3; 0,52 kg/m3 to 1,74 kg/m3. The irrigation water use efficiencies in 2011, WUEI between 15,85 kg/m3 and 30,69 kg/m3, in 2012 from 2,17 kg/m3 to 14,27 kg/m3. The average amounts of water soluble solids content in the first year of operation were between 10,22% (I100) and 12,91% (I50); and from 12,41% (I100) to 13,47% (I50) in the second year. Within the scope of this study, since the effects of irrigation issues on fruit yield are not statistically significant, water shortage may be proposed for farmers in order to save water.