Soil Water Distribution and Growth of Apple Plants under Drip Irrigation

Field experiment was conducted with young apple plants (2 years) during 1989 and 1990 (July-July) to assess the effect of drip irrigation on soil water distribution pattern and plant growth (trunk girth, root and shoot length) by comparing with conventional/traditional systems of irrigation, i.e. basin flooding and rainfed condition. The soil water distribution in both, 0–0.15 and 0.15–0.30 m depths was uniform under drip irrigation and de-creased as the soil depth and distance from dripper increased. Root growth and distribution (horizontal and vertical) were not influenced significantly. The favourable and uniform distribution of soil water under drip irrigation was reflected in the plant growth as shoot length and trunk girth were highest. Water application efficiency of drip irrigation system over flood irrigation was found to be 44.0 per cent.