ISSN 1110-0419
Annals Of Agric. Sc., Moshtohor, Vol 36(2): 1093-1104, (1998).
WATER REQUIREMENTS OF "CANNINO" APRICOT UNDER THE CONDITION OF "EL-KHATATBA" REGION
BY
Abdel-Hamid, N.*; Atawia, A.A.R** and El-Moushtohory, M.**
* Hort. Dept.; Fac. of Agric. Ain Shams Univ., Cairo, Egypt
** Hort. Dept.; Fac. of Agric. Moshtohor, Zagazig University (Benha Branch).
ABSTRACT
The actual water use (Wu) and water use efficiency (WUE) of "Cannino" apricot trees grown in Khatatba region during 1996 and 1997 seasons were studied. Three irrigation water regimes were applied (F = 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) in this study. Increasing the amount of irrigation water considerably increased average leaf area, stem thickness and shoot length. On the contrary, flowering %, fruit set % and abscission % were decreased with increasing the irrigation water levels. However, total yield, fruit number per tree and average fruit weight were increased with increased irrigation water added to the trees.
Physical and chemical properties of the fruits are slightly affected with irrigation treatments. However, leaf proline, boron and chlorophyll contents were greatly affected with increasing the levels of irrigation water. The water requirements of "Cannino" apricot trees 4-5 year old during the growth season
were (929,25 - 1239.84 and 1549 8) and (1227 87. 1638.63 and 2048.13) m3/fed. for F-value 0.6. 0.8 and 10 in the two siudied seasons, respectively. Water use efficiency was highest for irrigation treatment 0.6 whereas the lowest one was for 1.0.
Key wards: Cannino apricot trees, irrigation, growth, vegetative, yield fruit quality, water requirement, water use efficiency (WUE)