Response of kiwifruit cultivars to deficit irrigation in terms of canopy temperature and water relations

The present investigation was conducted with the comparative study of response of five kiwifruit cultivars, viz., Allison, Hayward, Abbott, Monty and Bruno to deficit irrigation. This experiment was carried out during2011 and 2012 at Nauni, Solan (HP). These five cultivars were subjected to two irrigation levels, i.e., standard irrigation (at 80% Field capacity) and deficit irrigation (at 60% Field capacity). The canopy temperature andstomatal resistance in leaves of kiwifruit cultivars were increased due to deficit irrigation treatment, whereas, the leaf water potential, chlorophyll content, transpiration rate and photosynthetic rate were decreased. The Hayward cultivar was proved to be more sensitive to deficit irrigation levels in terms of canopy temperature, leaf water potential, chlorophyll content, stomatal resistance, transpiration and photosynthetic rates, whereasthe cultivar Bruno was proved to be least sensitive.