Effects of Irrigation and Deficit Irrigation during Different Phenological Stages of Fruit Growth and Development in Almond

Field study conducted to determine the effects of different irrigation levels on almond revealed significant variation at various crop evapo-transpiration (ETc) levels, applied during different phenological stages of growth and development. Irrigation did not affect trunk girth of almond significantly during the 1^st year. However, a significant increase in trunk girth (5.72%) was noticed with irrigation during 2^nd year. The irrigation, applied according to different ETc levels, improved yield and yield contributing attributes significantly. Highest nut yield of 2.42 kg tree⁻¹ was observed at 100% ETc during 1^st year which increased to 2.89 kg tree⁻¹during 2^nd year. The highest shelling percentage (53%) was observed in the nuts which received full irrigation during 2^nd year. The trees receiving 100% ETc level of irrigation showed highest yield but was, however, at par with 75% ETc level of irrigation. The defective (shriveled) kernels were high in control trees while irrigated trees showed least defective kernels.