Effect of Sprinkler, Surface Drip and Subsurface Drip Irrigation Methods on ‘Fuji’/M9 and ‘Fuji’/M26 Apple Orchards Growth, Soil Properties, and Water Consumption

Conventional irrigation methods require high amount of water to meet ‘Fuji’/M9 and ‘Fuji’/M26 apple orchards irrigation requirement. In this study, the efficiency of sprinkler, surface drip and subsurface drip irrigation methods on water use efficiency, tree growth, yield, and canopy volume were compared. Experiment I (‘Fuji’/M9 apple orchard) consisted of sprinkler, surface drip and subsurface drip irrigation methods. Subsurface drip irrigation method consumed 37% and 27% less irrigation water to maintain same matric potential compared to sprinkler and surface drip irrigation methods, respectively. In addition, subsurface drip irrigation method showed less sunburn fruits and contained less weed growth compared to sprinkler and surface drip irrigation methods. In experiment II (‘Fuji’/M26 apple orchard), subsurface drip irrigation method at different depths (0, 15 and 30 cm) were compared. The results showed that irrigation at 30 cm depth consumed 52% less water to maintain the same matric potential compared to 0 cm (or surface drip) irrigation. However, apple tree stem circumference, new shoot length and canopy volume were not significantly different between treatments. These results suggest that subsurface drip irrigation can be used as an efficient method to reduce the irrigation water in ‘Fuji’/M9 and 'Fuji'/M26 apple orchards and to reduce weed growth.