Hussien*, S. M. and T. A. Eid( 2013). RESPONSE OF PLUM TREES GROWN IN CLAY LOAM SOIL TO THE CHANGE FROM SURFACE TO DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEMEgypt . J. of Appl. Sci., 28 (5) 218-240
Abstract: A two-year field experiment was conducted at El-Kanater Horticultural Research Station in the 2010 and 2011 seasons. This study aimed to determine the effect of the change from surface irrigation to drip irrigation on seasonal applied irrigation water, consumptive use, yield, growth, flowering and fruiting of three plum trees varieties. Plum trees which had been irrigated by surface irrigation for many years was used for the study, during which drip irrigation was applied in one section, while surface irrigation was continued for rest of the plum orchard. Results for surface irrigation system showed higher applied irrigation water (5180 & 5124 m3/feddan/year) than the drip irrigation system (2607 & 2553 m3/feddan/year) during 2010 and 2011 seasons, respectively. Drip irrigation system supported an increase of water productivity (1.94 and 2.5 kg fruits/m3). Moreover, drip irrigation system proved superiority in enhancing the studied tree growth, root system distribution, fruiting and fruit quality parameters as well as weed control than surface irrigation system. However, the three studied plum cultivars showed variability in their response to the prospective effects of drip irrigation system
Keywords: (Plum cultivars, Surface, Drip irrigation, Growth, Fruiting, Fruit quality)
