Abstract

Effect of some anti-evaporative and anti-transpirant on water use efficiency of fig trees.

Author(s): Evon K.Rizk

This work is a trial to improve water use efficiency of fig orchards grown in sandy soils of North Sinai area through mulching and anti-transpirant under water management. The applied treatments include: main plots as three irrigation intervals: (I1= 1 day, I2= 2 days&I3= 4 days)with irrigation amounts calculated according to Penman-Monteith equation and sub-main plots as four soil-plant management treatments: (control without additions, black plasticmulch (BPM), spryAbscisic acid (ABA) 10%w/w&combined BPM +ABA). The study was conducted in split plot design with three replicates for each treatment. The results were analysed statistically (ANOVA and L.S.D.). The experimentalwork reveals increases in fig fruit yeild, water use efficiency and water economy by increasing irrigation intervals and adding combined BPM + ABA, but the reverse was observed for water consumptive use, crop coefficient and beneficiary factor. The highest values of fig fruit yeild,water use efficiency andwater economywere obtained by irrigation every 4 days and application combined BPM + ABA. Likewise, those treatments led to the lowest values of water consumptive use, crop coefficient and beneficiary factor. From the previous findings, one can conclude that irrigation every 4 days and use of black plasticmulch under fig trees are recommended in light of the highest investment ratio at the prevailing conditions in the study area. Those treatments have also saved water consumption by about 19 %.