Irrigation management in orchards

摘要

Adequate soil moisture content is essential for proper fruit set, optimum fruit growth and development of the fruit. So proper irrigation management in orchards is essential for good production. THE irrigation requirement of the orchards may vary depending upon the texture of the soils, age of plants, method of irrigation, rainfall etc. Adequate soil moisture content is essential for proper fruit set and to sustain optimum fruit growth and development until the harvesting of the fruit. So proper irrigation management in orchards is essential for optimum production. During the initial years of orchard establishment the vegetative growth of plants depends upon the irrigation management. Any water stress during this stage may result in reduced canopy development that directly affects the precocity and yield potential of the tree. On the other hand the fruit trees are quite sensitive to flooding conditions. The growth and production of trees may be impaired by excess of water in the root zone. Direct contact of water to the tree trunk leads to the spread of foot rot in citrus, root rot and sap wood rot in pear, root rot in peach, plum, grapes etc. So a gentle slope from tree trunk to the drip line of the trees may be given. In bearing orchards, plants are sensitive to drought stress during the flowering and fruit set periods which directly reduces the fruit yield.