Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, 173 230
*Corresponding author's: present address: Regional Horticultural Research Station, Mashobra, Shimla, 171 007
1Vrindawan Colony, Lower Seri, Damrog Road, Solan, 173 212
The field experiment conducted on the effect of drip irrigation and polyethylene mulch on yield, quality and water-use efficiency of peach cv. July Elberta revealed drip system to be very effective and an efficient method of irrigation for raising peaches especially on light textured soils. Drip irrigation at V-volume of water (100% evaporationtranspiration crop) with polyethylene mulch resulted in significantly higher fruit yield and better quality characteristics of peach. The drip system, besides giving a saving of 59.1% of irrigation water, resulted in 30.4% higher fruit yield of peach as compared to surface irrigation.
Peach, fruit characters, water-use efficiency, drip irrigation, polyethylene mulch
