Progress 07/01/02 to 06/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We found the best method of irrigation that results in high quality fruit. Results during the period of this report were reported to fruit growers in Idaho and the rest of the nation. Many apple growers are now using our results to establish drip systems with the top-performing rootstocks. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Idaho and Washington apple growers and all other growers who have similar climate conditions to those of southwest Idaho, USA PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Methods of irrigation affect water consumption which is a critical issue in many parts of the world including the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Irrigation methods and injection of nutrients, particularly N, through water (fertigation), also play major roles in apple fruit quality and production. Irrigation with a drip system uses less water than sprinkler irrigation. However, irrigation through a micro-jet sprinkler system is extremely important for development of orchard floor cover grass. Micro-jet sprinklers also create a cooler environment in the orchards under fruit-growing conditions of Washington and Idaho (Personal information). Research has been conducted with orchard fertigation through drip systems in British Columbia; however, other than our recent work with fertigation of Fuji, information on the tree growth and leaf mineral nutrients of new apple cultivars under drip or micro-jet sprinkler irrigation systems in the Pacific Northwest is lacking. In this comprehensive project, Water usage, tree growth, leaf mineral nutrients, yield, and fruit quality attributes in Autumn Rose Fuji apple (Malus x domestica Borkh) with five irrigation systems and effects of five rootstocks and two irrigation systems on tree trunk cross sectional area (TCSA), yield, and fruit quality in Pacific Gala were studied over several seasons. Trees with Full Sprinkler (FS) received more water than those with drip systems. Autumn Rose Fuji trees with FS and full drip (FD) had similar TCSA, but both treatments had greater TCSA than those of other irrigation treatments. Autumn Rose Fuji trees with all drip had satisfactory yield and fruit quality. Autumn Rose Fuji fruit soluble solids were lower in trees with FS irrigation treatment, while no significant differences were observed in fruit firmness . Autumn Rose with partial drip irrigation had higher starch degradation pattern, particularly early years of this experiment. The differences were less evident when trees matured. In Autumn Rose Fuji, concentrations of leaf N, Mg, and Zn were lower while that of leaf K was higher in FS and FD systems. Bud 9 and RN-29 found to be superior rootstocks for Pacific Gala. Bud 9 and G 30 advanced fruit maturity of `Pacific Gala' by increasing fruit color, soluble solids concentrations, and starch degradation pattern and reducing fruit firmness. In Pacific Gala, drip irrigation at full rate increased fruit size and advanced fruit maturity by increasing starch degradation pattern and reducing firmness as compared to sprinklers system. Overall, drip irrigation at full ET c rate, calculated with inclusion of tree spacing and ground shading is advised for both Fuji and Gala production.
Publications
- Fallahi, E., Fallahi, B. and Shafii, B. 2008. Effects of Irrigation Systems and Rootstocks on Water Use, Tree Growth, Fruit Quality, and Mineral Nutrients in Apples During the Third and Fourth Year after Planting. Acta Horticulturae 772:33-40.
- Fallahi, E., Fallahi, B. and Shafii, B. 2008. Long-Term Performance of `Fuji' and `Gala' Apples as Influenced by Irrigation and Rootstock. Compact Fruit Tree, 41(1):11-14.
- Fallahi, E., Fallahi, B., Shafii, B. and Morales, B. 2007. Water Use, Tree Growth, and Leaf Mineral Nutrients of Young `Fuji' Apples As Influenced by Different Irrigation Systems. Acta Horticulturae; 721:63-70.
- Fallahi, E., Ratnaprabha, R., Tripepi, R., Shafii, B. and Fallahi, B. 2007. Tree Growth, Yield, Fruit Quality, and Mineral Partitioning as Affected by Rootstock and Irrigation Methods. International Journal of Fruit Science. 7(1):3-24.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We expect to find out the best method of irrigation that results in high quality fruit. Results during the period of this report were reported to fruit growers in Idaho and the rest of the nation. Many apple growers are considering using our results to establish drip systems with the top-performing rootstocks.
PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Esmaeil Fallahi, University of Idaho, Parma Research and Extension Center, 29603 U of I Lane, Parma, Idaho 83660
TARGET AUDIENCES: All Fruit growers in Idaho, the Pacific Northwest and other places nationwide.
Impacts
Methods of irrigation affect water consumption which is a critical issue in many parts of the world including the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Irrigation methods and injection of nutrients, particularly N, through water (fertigation), also play major roles in apple fruit quality and production. Irrigation with a drip system uses less water than sprinkler irrigation. However, irrigation through a micro-jet sprinkler system is extremely important for development of orchard floor cover grass. Micro-jet sprinklers also create a cooler environment in the orchards under fruit-growing conditions of Washington and Idaho. Research has been conducted with orchard fertigation through drip systems in British Columbia; however, other than our recent work with fertigation of Fuji, information on the tree growth and leaf mineral nutrients of new apple cultivars under drip or micro-jet sprinkler irrigation systems in the Pacific Northwest is lacking. In this
comprehensive project, water usage, tree growth, leaf mineral nutrients, yield, and fruit quality attributes in Autumn Rose Fuji apple (Malus x domestica Borkh) with five irrigation systems and effects of five rootstocks and two irrigation systems on tree trunk cross sectional area (TCSA), yield, and fruit quality in Pacific Gala were studied during fourth and fifth years after planting. Trees with Full Sprinkler (FS) received more water than those with drip systems. Autumn Rose Fuji trees with FS and full drip (FD) had similar TCSA, but both treatments had greater TCSA than those of other irrigation treatments. Autumn Rose Fuji trees with all drip and FS systems had higher yield and larger fruit size than those other systems in 2007. Autumn Rose Fuji fruit soluble solids were lower in trees with FS irrigation treatment, while no significant differences were observed in fruit firmness in 2007. Autumn Rose with partial drip irrigation had a higher starch degradation pattern. In Autumn
Rose Fuji, concentrations of leaf N, Mg, and Zn were lower while that of leaf K was higher in FS and FD systems. Bud 9 and RN-29 were found to be superior rootstocks for Pacific Gala. Bud 9 and G 30 advanced fruit maturity of Pacific Gala by increasing fruit color, soluble solids concentrations, and starch degradation pattern and reducing fruit firmness. In Pacific Gala, drip irrigation at full rate some times increased fruit size and advanced fruit maturity by increasing starch degradation pattern and reducing firmness as compared to sprinklers system. Overall, drip irrigation at full ET c rate, calculated with inclusion of tree spacing and ground shading is advised for both Fuji and Gala production.
Publications
- Fallahi, E., Ratnaprabha, R., Tripepi, R., Shafii, B. and Fallahi, B. 2007. Tree Growth, Yield, Fruit Quality, and Mineral Partitioning as Affected by Rootstock and Irrigation Methods. International Journal of Fruit Science. Vol. 7(1). Accepted (In Press).
- Fallahi, E., Fallahi, B., Shafii, B. and Morales, B. 2007. Water Use, Tree Growth, and Leaf Mineral Nutrients of Young Fuji Apples As Influenced by Different Irrigation Systems. Acta Horticulturae; 721:63-70.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Methods of irrigation affect water consumption which is a critical issue in many parts of the world including the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Irrigation methods and injection of nutrients, particularly N, through water (fertigation), also play major roles in apple fruit quality and production. Irrigation with a drip system uses less water than sprinkler irrigation. However, irrigation through a micro-jet sprinkler system is extremely important for development of orchard floor cover grass. Micro-jet sprinklers also create a cooler environment in the orchards under fruit-growing conditions of Washington and Idaho. Research has been conducted with orchard fertigation through drip systems in British Columbia; however, other than our recent work with fertigation of Fuji, information on the tree growth and leaf mineral nutrients of new apple cultivars under drip or micro-jet sprinkler irrigation systems in the Pacific Northwest is lacking. In this
comprehensive project, Water usage, tree growth, leaf mineral nutrients, yield, and fruit quality attributes in Autumn Rose Fuji apple (Malus x domestica Borkh) with five irrigation systems and effects of five rootstocks and two irrigation systems on tree trunk cross sectional area (TCSA), yield, and fruit quality in Pacific Gala were studied during third and fourth years after planting. Trees with Full Sprinkler (FS) received more water than those with drip systems. Autumn Rose Fuji trees with FS and full drip (FD) had similar TCSA, but both treatments had significantly greater TCSA than those of other irrigation treatments. Autumn Rose Fuji trees with all drip systems had higher yield efficiencies than those with FS or Partial Root zone drying Sprinkler (PRS) systems. Autumn Rose Fuji fruit size was decreased while SSC increased in PRS. Autumn Rose Fuji fruits from trees with PRD system were advanced in maturity as they had softer fruits with more advanced starch degradation
pattern. Autumn Rose Fuji trees receiving FS and FD had larger TCSA, and those with FS system had larger leaves. In Autumn Rose Fuji, concentrations of leaf N, Mg, and Zn were lower while that of leaf K was higher in FS and FD systems. Bud 9 and RN-29 found to be superior rootstocks for Pacific Gala. Bud 9 and G 30 advanced fruit maturity of Pacific Gala by increasing fruit color, soluble solids concentrations, and starch degradation pattern and reducing fruit firmness. In Pacific Gala, drip irrigation at full rate increased fruit size and advanced fruit maturity by increasing starch degradation pattern and reducing firmness as compared to sprinklers system. Overall, drip irrigation at full ET c rate, calculated with inclusion of tree spacing and ground shading is advised for both Fuji and Gala production.
Impacts
We expect to find out the best method of irrigation that results in high quality fruit. Results will be reported to fruit growers and will be presented at various professional society meetings, and will be published in scientific journals.
Publications
- Fallahi, E., McFerson, J.R., and Fallahi, B. 2006. Irrigation and Rootstock Affect Water Use, Growth, Nutrition, Yield, and Fruit Quality of Fuji and Gala Apples. HortScience. 41(4):929.
- Fallahi, E., Fallahi, B. and Shafii, B. 2006. Effects of Different Irrigation Systems and Rootstocks on Water Use, Tree Growth, Fruit Quality, and Mineral Nutrients of Fuji and Gala Apples. Abstracts of 27th International Horticultural Congress and Exhibits; International Society for Horticultural Science. Abstract No. S04-0-5, p. 102.
- Fallahi, E., Fallahi, B. Shafii, B. and Morales, B. 2007. Water Use, Tree Growth, and Leaf Mineral Nutrients of Young Fuji Apples As Influenced by Different Irrigation Systems. Acta Horticulturae; Accepted In Press.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Fruit quality and yield were affected by the quantity of water and rootstock. Also, water usage is becoming very important as the world population increase, and many fruit producing areas are facing water shortage. This project will examine the effects of different irrigation regimes in 'Fuji' and effects of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems and five rootstocks in 'Gala' apple on fruit quality, yield, nutrition, and storability. In 2005, we found that full drip irrigation produced larger 'Fuji' fruits as compared to partial sprinkler or deficit drip systems. 'Fuji' apple fruit with partial zone sprinkler irrigation had higher soluble solids as compared to full sprinkler system in 2005. 'Fuji' fruits from deficit drip or partial drip irrigation systems had significantly lower firmness at harvest time than full drip or partial sprinkler systems in 2005. Fruits from trees with partial drip had significantly higher starch degradation index than those with all other
irrigation treatments in 2005. Full drip system used significantly less water than sprinkler system. 'Gala' apples on B.9 rootstocks had smaller trees than those on other rootstocks.
Impacts
This experiment will assist growers to use minimum amount of water to produce high quality 'Fuji' and 'Gala'. Also, the interaction of each of the tested rootstock with drip and sprinkler system will be determined for 'Pacific Gala' apple.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Fruit quality and yield are affected by the quantity of water and rootstock. Also, water usage is becoming very important as the world population increase, and many fruit producing areas are facing water shortage. This project will examine the effects of different irrigation regimes in 'Fuji' and effects of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems and five rootstocks in 'Gala' apple on fruit quality, yield, nutrition, and storability. In 2004, we found that full drip irrigation produced larger 'Fuji' fruits as compared to deficit drip system. Partial zone sprinkler irrigation in 'Fuji' apple produced smaller fruits with higher soluble solids as compared to full drip or full sprinkler systems. Full drip system used 50% less water than sprinkler system. 'Gala' apples on B.9 rootstocks had smaller trees than those on other rootstocks.
Impacts
This experiment will assist growers to use minimum amount of water to produce high quality 'Fuji' and 'Gala'. Also, the interaction of each of the tested rootstock with drip and sprinkler system will be determined for 'Pacific Gala' apple.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Fruit quality and yield are affected by the quantity of water and rootstock. Also, water usage is becoming very important as the world population increase, and many fruit producing areas are facing water shortage. This project will examine the effects of different irrigation regimes in 'Fuji' and effects of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems and five rootstocks in 'Gala' apple on fruit quality, yield, nutrition, and storability. We have found that sprinkler system uses more water than double drip system while not having major effect on the tree growth during the first two years after planting. At the peak of summer, each tree with sprinkler used about 14 gal/day while each tree with double drip used about 4 gal/day. Quality and mineral nutrition of trees from this experiment are being measured at this time. 'Gala' trees on Supporter 4 were largest followed by those on Bud 118, G30, RN 29, and Bud 9.
Impacts
This experiment will assist growers to use minimum amount of water to produce high quality 'Fuji' and 'Gala'. Also, the interaction of each of the tested rootstock with drip and sprinkler system will be determined for 'Pacific Gala' apple.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 07/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Fruit quality and yield are affected by the quantity of water and rootstock. Also, water usage is becoming very important as the world's population increases, and many fruit producing areas are facing water shortages. This project will examine the effects of different irrigation regimes in 'Fuji' and effects of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems and five rootstocks in 'Gala' apple on fruit quality, yield, nutrition, and storability. The experimental orchard was established at the University of Idaho Pomology Orchard during Spring of 2002. Several drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, including, partial zone drying system were installed in this orchard and data will be gathered on tree growth, nutrition and fruit quality in the near future.
Impacts
This project will assist growers in using the least amounts of water while producing high quality 'Gala' and 'Fuji' apples.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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