Effect of drip irrigation on growth, cropping and yield of apple under sub-temperate conditions

Growth, cropping and yield of two apple cultivars Red Fuji and Scarlet Gala subjected to five drip irrigation treatments and grafted on three clonal rootstocks were investigated during 2002–2004. Irrigation treatments were applied in split-split plot design at the rate of 100% or 80% or 60% or 40% ET_C or basin irrigation (100% ET_C through basin). Different growth parameters, i.e. fruits set, fruit retention and yield were estimated. Seasonal water use at 100% ET_C level was 881 and 796 litres for Scarlet Gala and 1,144 and 1,041 litres for Red Fuji during 2002 and 2004, respectively. Drip irrigation at 100, 80 and 60% ET_C was found to enhance vegetative growth compared to basin irrigation and the growth increased with the volume of water applied through drip. The highest yield was 12.27 kg/tree during 2002 and 13.10 kg/tree during 2004 obtained with 100% ET_C.