Effect of Drip Fertigation With and Without Mulch on Soil Hydrothermal Regimes, Growth, Yield, and Quality of Apple (<i>Malus domestica</i>Borkh)

Abstract

Studies were undertaken to investigate the effect of drip fertigation and conventional fertilizations with and without mulch on the productivity of apple. Soil moisture under fertigation remained greater in the upper 0–30 cm of soil, whereas under conventional surface irrigation, deeper layers registered greater values. Mulch application resulted in 2–4% greater moisture and raised the minimum but lowered the maximum soil temperatures, especially during later growth periods. Available nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) contents under fertigation closely followed the moisture distribution pattern. Irrespective of treatments, available phosphorus (P) remained confined within upper 0- to 20-cm soil depth. Fertigation resulted in 35% greater growth and yield over conventional fertilization with irrigations besides saving 25% in irrigation water. Joint use of fertigation and mulch resulted in comparable growth and yield as unmulched condition and saved 20% in fertilizers and 15% in irrigation water.