Investigation of Effective Irrigation Strategies for High-Density Apple Orchards in Pennsylvania

Irrigation helps grow agricultural crops in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall. Proper irrigation could improve both crop productivity produce quality. For high density apple orchards, water relations are even more important. Most tree fruit orchards is applied based on grower’s experience or simple observations, which may lead to over- under-irrigation. To investigate an effective strategy high-density orchard, three methods were tested including soil moisture-based, evapotranspiration (ET)-based conventional methods. In moisture-based irrigation, content potential sensors measured side by side. ET-based daily ET (ETc) accumulated deficit calculated. Conventional method was the operator. The experiment conducted from early June through middle October (one growing season). Lastly, consumption, yield quality analyzed for these strategies. Results indicated that used least water, with 10.8% 4.8% less than methods, respectively. rows slightly higher other two, while similar. outcome this study proved effectiveness using moisture scheduling be important step future automatic system.