Effect of irrigation on initial bearing, fruit mass and vegetative growth in apple cv. Golden Delicious

• Published in: Jugoslovensko vocarstvo Vol. 23
• Main Author: Rakicevic M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 1989
• Subjects: altura; application rates; bourgeon; buds; crecimiento; croissance; crop yield; danos por la helada; degat du au gel; dose d' application; dosis de aplicacion; frost damage; fruit; fruto; growth; hauteur; height; irrigation; malus; peso; poids; portainjertos; porte greffe; rendement des cultures; rendimiento de cultivos; riego; rootstocks; weight; yema planta; yougoslavie; yugoslavia
• ISSN: 0350-2155

Trials were carried out in 1986-88 on the effect of irrigation by the method of "flooding" on the yields of Golden Delicious apples grown on MM 106, spaces at 4X2 m. Irrigation was applied at the rate of 50 mm (500 m /ha). In 1986 it was applied on August 15, resulting in the yield increase by 19.3% and fruit mass by 9%. In 1987 irrigation was applied twice (on July 10 and on August 25). Yields from the irrigated trees decreased by 8.8%, while fruit mass rose by 4%. Lower yields were due to more severe frost damage to irrigated trees during winter period, compared to non-irrigated trees. In 1988 irrigation was applied at a single rate on July 12, resulting in the yield increase by 6.8% and fruit mass by 12.4%. The average increase of yields for the three years was 9.2%, of fruit mass 8.4% and of trunk circumference at the height of 30 cm it was 1.05%. Irrigation resulted in lower frost damage to flower buds in 1987.