ISHS Acta Horticulturae 785: International Symposium on Grape Production and Processing
IRRIGATION SCHEDULING FOR IMPROVING WATER USE EFFICIENCY IN DRIP IRRIGATED THOMPSON SEEDLESS GRAPE GROWN ON DOG RIDGE ROOTSTOCK |
| Authors: | Jagdev Sharma, S.D. Shikhamany, R.K. Singh, A.K. Upadhyay |
| Keywords: | irrigation scheduling, drip irrigation, grapes, rootstock |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.785.50 |
| Abstract:
Due to lack of scientifically standardised irrigational schedule for grafted vines the growers have been irrigating the vineyards arbitrarily. Where irrigation water is easily available, the growers tend to over irrigate. On the other hand, the growers in Sangli and Solapur regions of Maharashtra state have to transport the water in tankers from distant places due to lack of natural water resources. This involves both cost and energy and each and every drop of water needs to be used judiciously. The aim of the present study was to get maximum response to the applied water based upon pan evaporation rate for Thompson Seedless vines grafted on Dog Ridge rootstock. For standardising the irrigation schedule for grafted vines grown on heavy soils, eight different irrigation schedules (treatments) were tested. The vines were irrigated at variable rates of replenishment of pan evaporation at different growth stages for consecutive three years (2000 to 2003) to develop the grower friendly irrigation schedule. The irrigation rates for different growth stages and the stage at which the moisture stress has little or no effect were identified. The new schedule standardised by irrigating the vines at 60% rate of replenishment of pan evaporation at shoot growth and berry setting to harvest reduced the irrigation water requirement by 52 to 53% compared to check treatment (irrigating the vines at 80% and uniform rate at all the growth stages). The highest water use efficiency was recorded by irrigating the vines as per irrigation schedule but the yield and berry and bunch weight were significantly less. Irrigating the vines at reduced rates (20% rate of replenishment) of irrigation at bud differentiation, berries set and shatter stage saved considerable amount of water without affecting the yield and quality of the grapes. Irrigating the vines at 50% or less rate compared to check treatment during shoot growth, berry growth and development stages although resulted in higher water use efficiency, reduced the yield, bunch number and biomass significantly. | |
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