The effects of different irrigation levels on vegetative growth of young dwarf cherry trees in a sub-humid climate

Abstract

In this study, the effects of different irrigation treatments on evapotranspiration and vegetative growth parameters such as plant height, trunk cross-sectional area, volume of trees and branch cross-sectional area of 'Z-900'/Gisela-5 young dwarf cherry trees were investigated in a sub-humid climate during 2001-2002. Four irrigation treatments (T-1, T-2, T-3 and T-4) were applied based on different percentages of Class A Pan evaporation (50%, 75%, 100% and 125%). Seasonal crop evapotranspiration (ETc) values at applied irrigation water levels varied from 327 to 656 mm and from 354 to 733 mm for 2001 and 2002, respectively. While the difference between water levels was 25%, the difference in evapotranspiration for water levels was found to be 21-30%. Maximum average values of vegetative growth parameters area were obtained in T-4 treatment in each experimental year. Although the amount of irrigation water for treatments increased, values of vegetative growth parameters didn't indicate a proportional change.