The interactive effect of irrigation and fertilization on the quality of apples

• Published in: Acta horticulturae et regiotecturae Vol. 6; no. 1
• Main Authors: Hanisko, L, Krejzova, J. (Slovensky Vodohospodarsky Podnik, Bratislava (Slovak Republic))
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.05.2003
• Subjects: APLICACION DE ABONOS; APPLES; CALENDARIO DE LOS RIEGOS; CALENDRIER DES IRRIGATIONS; CALIDAD; CROP YIELD; FACTEUR DE RENDEMENT; FACTORES DE RENDIMIENTO; FERTILISATION; FERTILIZER APPLICATION; IRRIGATION SCHEDULING; MALUS; MANZANA; POMME; QUALITE; QUALITY; RENDEMENT DES CULTURES; RENDIMIENTO DE CULTIVOS; YIELD FACTORS
• ISSN: 1335-2563; 1338-5259

Water is increasingly used as a supporting means for the application of nutrients (e. g. fertigation) in more progressively managed apple orchards. The need of nutrients can be directly determined from the structure of plants. Fertigation is a very advantageous manner of irrigation of high-density orchards and it was also a subject of the research project "Interactive effect of irrigation and fertilization on apple trees" undertaken by the Slovak Water Management Enterprise, Irrigation and Drainage branch office in Bratislava. The subject of this work was located in the western part of Zitny ostrov inland delta and in the territory of Podunajska nizina lowland. Three apple varieties (Gala, Jonagold, Idared) were planted in the orchard and four fertilization treatments were applied at different growth stages. Assessment of the apple quality was carried out in the vegetation periods of 1999 and 2000. The alternation of fertility was confirmed at least for one of the three varieties (especially Jonagold). The increase in fruit yield due to irrigation is generally known. It has been confirmed by the results of a great number of research works as well as by many years' experience in irrigation. At a certain level the synergetic effect of fertilization and irrigation may result in yield increases