Effects of irrigation according to water deficit in two different soil layers, on the yield and growth of apple trees

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Abstract
In a 5-year experiment in the Hula Valley six irrigation treatments were given to replenish the soil water of the 0-60 or 0-120 cm layer whenever a predetermined level of available water was reached. The highest yields and greatest fruit sizes were obtained from a treatment involving irrigation to 60 cm from 10th June to 10th August whenever the 0-60 cm layer reached 40% available water, and during the rest of the season when it reached wilting point. During these two periods the moisture content of the 60-120 cm layer was kept above 80% and 60% respectively. During the final year the yield obtained from this treatment (124 tons per há,-with an average fruit diameter of 6.22 cm) was about 30% higher than in a treatment copying commercial practice in the area. Analysis of water use efficiency showed that this former treatment produced comparatively more fruit as well as more roots and shoots per mm of water consumed. It was suggested that the smaller fruit size obtained in other treatments was a result of overcharge of the vield either on the shoots or on the root system.

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