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Crop yield response to water - Cra

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FIGURE 13Comparison of <strong>yield</strong> per unit irrigation between crops managed with partial root-zone drying(PRD) and conventionally irrigated crops with similar amounts of <strong>water</strong>. (a) Fruit trees (b) Detailof grapevine cultivars (Sadras, 2009).a80slope = 1.05 ± 0.017n = 59y = xYield per unit applied irrigation <strong>water</strong> in partial rootzone drying (g/litre)6040200b60402000 20 40 60 800 20 40 60applegrapevinemandarinorangepearpeachraspberrystrawberry<strong>to</strong>ma<strong>to</strong>slope = 1.05 ± 0.029y = xn = 59Cabernet SauvignonCastelaoChardonnayMerlotMoscatelSauvignon BlancShirazTempranilloYield per unit applied irrigation <strong>water</strong> in controls (g/l)The DI practices discussed here refer <strong>to</strong> mature trees and vines. It has been shown thatdeveloping orchards should not be stressed until their canopies reach mature size <strong>to</strong> ensurethat maximum production is achieved as early in the life of the orchard/vineyard as possible.Vegetative growth is very sensitive <strong>to</strong> <strong>water</strong> deficits and should be avoided if possible. Therefore,meeting the full needs of young orchards and vineyards is particularly important from theeconomic viewpoint, and the allocation of <strong>to</strong>tal farm supplies should take in<strong>to</strong> considerationthe objective of meeting full needs of the young orchard blocks whenever possible.Soil fertility and pest management under DI has not been sufficiently researched <strong>to</strong> makegeneralizations. Since fertilizers are commonly applied through the irrigation system, reducedapplied <strong>water</strong> will have a concomitant reduction in the amount of applied fertilizer. This should292crop <strong>yield</strong> <strong>response</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>water</strong>

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