Efficient Irrigation and Nitrogen Management for Lemons: Results for 1993-1995

Abstract

Studies are being conducted which aim to improve the efficiency of irrigation and N fertilization for lemons produced on sandy soils in the low desert. The first experiment evaluates the response of 'Lisbon' lemons to various flood irrigation intervals. Irrigation intervals are based on soil moisture depletion (SMD) as calculated from frequent neutron probe soil moisture measurements. Individual treatments were irrigated when total SMD was 25 %, 40 %, 55 %, and 70 %, respectively. The second experiment compares the performance of young lemons produced under flood, trickle, and micro -spray irrigation systems. The third experiment evaluates the response of young lemons to water and N combinations (3 by 3 factorial) under micro -spray irrigation. The three irrigation rates were targeted for 30 cnbar, 20 cnbar, and 10 cnbar tension. The three N rates were 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 kg N /tree. One flood irrigation treatment was added for comparative purposes. Overall, results obtained in experiment 1 during 1994 and 1995 indicate optimal fruit growth ,and yield is obtained at approximately 40% SMD. The results of experiment 2 show that after 18 months micro -spray irrigation produced significantly more tree growth than flood and drip irrigation methods. Additionally, first year fruit yields were significantly greater for pressurized irrigation compared to flood irrigation. Results from experiment 3 show a linear response in tree growth up to 10 cnbar soil moisture tension. Furthermore, tree growth at 10 cnbar tension was significantly greater than trees irrigated by flood. Yields were also increased to irrigation regime. There were no significant differences in tree growth to N fertilization rates. However, there was a yield increase to N fertilizer rate at the highest soil moisture regime.