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THE INFLUENCE OF TRICKLE IRRIGATION AND
NITROGEN INJECTION ON APPLE. PEACH.
SOUR CHERRY AND PLUM

A DissorIoIlon
for II": Degree oI DH. D.
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Michael Wayne Smith
I977

«v _ , LIBRARY

I rMichigan State
University

 

This is to certify that the

thesis entitled

The Influence of Trickle Irrigation on
Nitrogen Injection on Apple, Peach,
Sour Cherry and Plum

presented by
Michael Wayne Smith

has been accepted towards fulfillment
of the requirements for

Ph. D. Horti culture

degree in

 

 

(A i Kw, 2?

Major professor

 

Date May '17, 1977

 

0-7 639

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABSTRACT

THE INFLUENCE OF TRICKLE IRRIGATION AND NITROGEN
INJECTION ON APPLE, PEACH, SOUR CHERRY AND PLUM

BY

Michael Wayne Smith

Trickle irrigation trials were established on peach

(Prunus persica Batsch. cv. 'Redhaven'), plum (Prunus

 

domestica L. 'Stanley'), sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.

 

 

'Montmorency'), and apple (Malus domestica Bork. cvs. 'Wayne',

 

'Golden Delicious', and 'Rhode Island Greening'). Treatments
were 0, 1.9, 3.8, 7.6 liters per hour (lph) in 1975, and
0, 3.8, 7.6, and 15.2 lph in 1976.

Trickle irrigation increased yield of Redhaven peach
and Wayne apple in 1975, and Redhaven peach and Wayne, Rhode
Island Greening, and Golden Delicious apples in 1976. Fruit
size was increased on Redhaven peach and Rhode Island Green-
ing, but not on other cultivars of apples studied. The in-
crease of yield but not fruit size of most of the apple cul-
tivars indicates that preharvest drop was decreased due to
trickle irrigation. Similar observations were made in the
field.

Increased levels of some nutrients in the leaves occurred
when trees were trickle irrigated. The elements showing in-
creases were P, Cu, and B in peach, P, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Al

in plum, and Na, Ca, Mg, Mn, and A1 in sour cherry. An increase

Michael Wayne Smith

in the rate of water to 15.2 lph caused a decrease in
nutrient content of peach and plum. Nutrient composition
of Wayne and Golden Delicious was decreased for some ele-
ments with trickle irrigation. Na, B, and Al was decreased
in Wayne, and Ca, Mn, Fe, B, and A1 in Golden Delicious.
Irrigation had no effect on the nutrient composition of
Rhode Island Greening.

The percent soluble solids, % total solids, % alcohol
insolubles, and % titratable acidity was not affected in
sour cherry. The percent total solids, % soluble solids,
and % titratable acidity of plums were the same for all treat-
ments, while variable results were recorded for peach. In
apple ascorbic acid, % total solids, and % soluble solids
was highest at 0 lph.

In a second experiment, N was injected through the trickle
irrigation system at three different rates, and applied to the
soil at one rate. The rates were the growers rate of N applied
to the soil, and 100, 50, and 25% of that rate injected through
the trickle irrigation system. This was applied in factorial
combination with irrigation rates of 1.9, 3.8, and 7.6 lph
in 1975, and 3.8, 7.6, and 15.2 lph in 1976. The same crops
were used as in the trickle irrigation trials.

Injection of N through the trickle irrigation system is
more efficient than applying it to the soil. Leaf N of all
crops was generally as high for all levels of N injected,
as the ground application. Yield was unaffected by N treat-

ment, except at the 25% level. N injection generally did not

Michael Wayne Smith

influence fruit size or quality. Injecting N through the
trickle irrigation system allows reduction of N application
by 50% to obtain the same tree response.
N distribution within the tree is affected by the rate
of water applied. N was evenly distributed within the tree
at 7.6 lph. At 3.8 lph, the N was accumulated on the side
of the tree with the emitter. Lower leaf N occurred at the
15.2 lph indicating leaching and denitrification was occurring,

reducing the efficiency of the application.

THE INFLUENCE OF TRICKLE IRRIGATION AND NITROGEN
INJECTION ON APPLE, PEACH, SOUR CHERRY AND PLUM

BY

Michael Wayne Smith

A DISSERTATION

Submitted to
Michigan State University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Department of Horticulture

1977

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author wishes to express his sincere appreciation
to Dr. A. L. Kenworthy for his patient guidance and support
during the course of this graduate program.

Appreciation is also extended to the members of the
guidance committee - Dr. Clifford Bedford, Dr. S. K. Ries,
and Dr. James Flore - for their suggestions and help during
the course of this research.

Gratitude is also expressed to Mr. Walter Cox, Jr.
for the use of his orchards for conducting this research.
His assistance in maintaining the research plots and col-
lection of data was sincerely appreciated.

The author wishes to thank Dr. D. C. Coston, Mr. Bill
Spaulding, and Ms. Vicki Fairchild for their assistance
in collection of data and friendship during this graduate
program.

Final gratitude is extended to my wife Carole. Her
patience, understanding, and encouragement was an inspira-

tion throughout this graduate program.

ii

 

TABLE OF

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . . . . . .

TABLE OF CONTENTS . . . . .

LIST OF TABLES . . . . . . .

LIST OF FIGURES . . . . . .

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . .

LITERATURE REVIEW . . . . .

CONTENTS

Page

0 O O O O O O O O O O O 0 iii

SECTION I: TRICKLE IRRIGATION IN HUMID REGIONS:
I. ITS EFFECT ON YIELD, SIZE, NUTRIENT

CONTENT AND FRUIT QUALITY OF FRUIT TREES .

ABSTRACT . . . .

MATERIALS AND METHODS . . . . . . . . . .
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION . . . . . . . . . .

SUMMARY . . . .
LITERATURE CITED

U'l

NM
~~1U'|\00\U'|

SECTION II: TRICKLE IRRIGATION IN HUMID REGIONS:
II. THE EFFICIENCY OF NITROGEN INJECTION

ON FRUIT TREES .

ABSTRACT . . . .

O O O O O O O O O O O O O 29

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

MATERIALS AND METHODS O O O O O O O O O O 3 0
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION . . . . . . . . . . 32

SUMMARY . . . .
LITERATURE CITED

S UMMARY O O O O O O O O O 0

LITERATURE CITED . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
53

55

iii

LIST OF TABLES

composition in leaves of stone fruits . . . . . .

The effect of trickle irrigation on fruit quality

The effect of trickle irrigation on fruit quality

and method of appli-

and method of appli-

of application of

of application of

of water when nitrogen

of water when nitrogen

of application of

of application of

related to rate and

method of application of nitrogen . . . . . . . .

Table
SECTION I
1. The effect of trickle irrigation on the nutrient
2. The effect of trickle irrigation on the nutrient
composition in leaves of apple
3.
of stone fruit . . . . . . .
4.

of apple . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION II

1. Leaf nitrogen related to rate
cation of nitrogen (1975) . .

2. Leaf nitrogen related to rate
cation of nitrogen (1976) . .

3. The effect of rate and method
nitrogen on yield (1975) . .

4. The effect of rate and method
nitrogen on yield (1976) . .

5. Leaf nitrogen related to rate
is injected (1975). . . . . .

6. Leaf nitrogen related to rate
is injected (1976) . . . . .

7. The effect of rate and method
nitrogen on fruit size (1975)

8. The effect of rate and method
nitrogen on fruit size (1976)

9. Fruit quality of stone fruits
10. The effect of rate and method

of application of

nitrogen on fruit quality of apples . . . . . . .

iv

Page

20

21

23

24

34

35

37

38

42

43

46

47

49

5O

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure
SECTION I
1. Yield related to the rate of trickle irrigation
in 1975 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. Yield of apple related to the rate of trickle
irrigation in 1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. Yield related to the rate of trickle irrigation
in 1976 O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
4. The effect of trickle irrigation on fruit
size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION II
1. Accumulation of leaf nitrogen (%) related to
time and rate of application on sour cherry . .
2. The interaction between the rate of water and

emitter location on the distribution of
nitrogen to the tree . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Page

ll

13

15

18

41

45

INTRODUCTION

The trickle irrigation concept involves the use of a
small quantity of water supplied at daily intervals to pre-
vent plant water stress, and thus aid growth and production.
The daily application of water eliminates cycling of soil
moisture and provides more efficient use of water by re-
ducing evaporation, deep percolation, and run-off.

The principle of trickle irrigation originated in Eng—
land in 1948 with the introduction of an automated watering
system for greenhouse tomatoes. In the 1960's, it was in-
troduced into the United States where it received rapid
acceptance for use in arid areas on fruit and nut trees,
ornamentals, vineyards, and vegetables.

In Michigan, the first experimental installations of
trickle irrigation were established in 1971 followed closely
by commercial installations. It is estimated Michigan now
has 15,000-20,000 acres of orchards with trickle irrigation.

Applying fertilizer through the trickle irrigation
system is practiced in arid states. In such areas, rainfall
is not adequate to dissolve and leach the nitrogen into the
root zone, making it necessary to apply it with the water.

Research here involved studies on rate (amount) of
water applied and the influence of applying nitrogen fertilizer

through the trickle irrigation system. Four fruit crops were

used; apple, sour cherry, peach and plum. Tree response
’was measured by yield, fruit size, fruit quality, and

nitrogen content.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Research on trickle irrigation in humid climates has
recently been initiated. Its use in arid areas was initiated
rapidly because of its more efficient application of water,
and the lower costs of installation and use compared to
conventional irrigation. To date, this is the second report
on tree performance in humid areas, and the first on fruit
crops.

Application of fertilizer through the trickle irriga-
tion system has been suggested since its early beginnings,
but little research has been reported, and none concerned
with reducing the amount of fertilizer required due to more
efficient utilization of the fertilizer.

Research in arid areas has shown increases in yield
and water use efficiency with trickle irrigation (4,5).

In humid areas, increases in growth with a more fibrous

root system has been reported for some ornamental trees
(19,20). A study by Kesner (10) on the distribution of

sour cherry roots with trickle irrigation indicated the
amount and distribution of the roots was unchanged by trickle
irrigation. Other work has suggest higher levels of soil
moisture will increase absorption of some nutrients by the

plant (12,13,17,18).

Application of fertilizer through the trickle irriga-
tion system may be better with some nutrients than others.
N03 moves readily with the irrigation water allowing an
equal distribution to the roots, providing there is adequate
lateral movement of water. When P is applied from a trickle
source, it is rapidly absorbed by the clay particles, result-
ing in the highest concns at the emitter, and an unequal dis—
tribution in the soil (22).

Application of N through the trickle irrigation system
has been reported to be more efficient than banding with
either trickle of furrow irrigation (14). Application of P
through a trickle irrigation system has produced higher P
content in tomatoes than banding equal amounts (21).

The two parts of the dissertation are prepared in the

style for research papers in the Journal of the American

 

Society for Horticultural Science.

 

SECTION I

TRICKLE IRRIGATION IN HUMID REGIONS: I. ITS EFFECT
ON YIELD, SIZE, NUTRIENT CONTENT AND
FRUIT QUALITY OF FRUIT TREES

Abstract. In 1975, trickle irrigation plots were es-

tablished on cherry (Prunus cerasus L. cv. 'Montmorency'),

 

plum (Prunus domestica L. cv. 'Stanley'), peach (Prunus per-

 

 

sica Batsch. cv. 'Redhaven'), and apple (Malus domestica Bork.

 

cvs. 'Wayne', 'Golden Delicious', and 'Rhode Island Greening')
at 0, 1.9, 3.8, and 7.6 liters per hour (lph). During 1976,
irrigation rates were changed to 0, 3.8, 7.6, and 15.2 lph.
Yield was increased due to irrigation on Redhaven peach and
Wayne apple in 1975. Irrigation during 1976 increased yields
of peach and the three cultivars of apples. Fruit size was
largest on irrigated trees of peach and Rhode Island Greening.
Other cultivars and species tested did not show an increase in
fruit size. Leaf content of Ca, Na, Mn, Mg, and Al was
generally increased in irrigated treatments of peach, sour
cherry, and plum. Decreased levels of Na, B, A1, Ca, Mn, and
Fe were found in some apple cultivars due to irrigation.
Trickle irrigation did not affect total solids, soluble
solids, or titratable acidity of plum or cherry. The alcohol
insoluble fraction of cherry was highest at 15.2 lph. Total
solids of peach were not effected by treatments while soluble
solids and titratable acidity yielded variable results.

Generally, titratable acidity of apple was not affected while

5

ascorbic acid, total solids, and soluble solids were highest
at 0 lph.

Trickle irrigation was first used in the arid areas of
the world. Research was aimed at an evaluation of it as an
alternative to other methods of irrigation. In these studies,
increased water use efficiency and increased yields were re-
ported (4,5). Today, trickle irrigation has reached the
higher rainfall areas of the world. In these areas, most
of the installations have been made on sites not normally
irrigated. Installations have been made due to low cost of
trickle irrigation compared to other systems, and anticipated
increases in production.

Ponder and Kenworthy (15,16) reported increased growth
of nursery trees and a more compact and fibrous root system
in some ornamental trees in Michigan. Other work has sug-
gested a higher soil moisture level may facilitate uptake
of various nutrients by the plants (9,10,13,13).

This study was conducted to determine if supplemental
irrigation was beneficial in the more humid regions of the
world by increased yields. Other factors such as nutrient

absorption and fruit quality were studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Trickle irrigation plots were established on sour cherries

(Prunus cerasus L. cv. 'Montmorency'), plum (Prunus domestica

 

 

L. cv. 'Stanley'), peach (Prunus persica Batsch. cv. 'Redhaven'),

 

and apple (Malus domestica Bork. cvs. 'Wayne', 'Golden De—

 

licous', and 'Rhode Island Greening'). In 1975, peach was

6, cherry 7, apple 5, and plum 7-years-old. MM 106 was

the rootstock for all apple cultivars. Soil type was a sandy
loam with a clay layer at approximately 75 cm. Treatments
were 0, 1.9, 3.8, and 7.6 liters per hour (lph) in 1975, and
0, 3.8, 7.6, and 15.2 lph in 1976. A randomized complete
block design was used with five blocks for apple, peach and
plum, and ten blocks for cherry. Replications were five-tree
plots for cherry and plum, and four-tree plots for peach

and apple.

Irrigation began June 10 and ended September 15 in 1975.
Apples were irrigated 1.5 hr per day, and peach, plum, and
cherry 3 hr per day, 7 days a week. In 1976, irrigation
started June 8 and ended October 1, with 4 hr per day on
cherry and peach, and 2.5 hr per day for plum and apple,

6 days a week. Rainfall was 686 mm from April 1 to September
30, 1975, and 270 mm for the same period in 1976.

Leaf samples were collected for analysis during mid July

both years. Samples were analyzed for N by Macro-Kjeldahl

l

procedure (1), K by flame spectrophotometer , and the spark

emission spectrograph2 (6) was used for the other elements.

 

1Beckman model B.

2Applied Research Laboratories Quantograph.

Small variations in tree sizes existed in the orchards,
and to compensate for this, yield was adjusted to kg/100 cm2
trunk area for all species, except peach. Fruit size was
measured on cherry and plum by weighing 100 fruit. Average
diameter of 25 fruit per replication was measured on apple
and peach.

Fruit samples were collected at harvest for analysis.
Two blocks were used for apple, peach, and plum, and four
blocks for cherry. Each replication was divided into two
subsamples for analysis. The % total solids was determined
by taking an aliquot of the sample and freeze drying it.
The % soluble solids and % titratable acidity were determined
on an aliquot ground in a blender for two minutes, and fil-
tered through Whatman number 1 filter paper. The % soluble
solids were determined on the filtrate with an Abbe refracto-
meter. An aliquot of the filtrate was mixed with distilled
water, then titrated to pH 8.0 with 0.1 N NaOH (1). Acidity
was expressed as % citric acid for cherry, peach, and plum,
and as % malic acid for apple.

Ascorbic acid content was determined on apple by blending
50 gm of slices with 200 ml of oxalic acid, then filtering
through Whatman number 1 filter paper. Three 1 ml aliquots
were pipetted into colorimeter tubes with 9 ml of distilled
water in one for the blank, and 9 ml of sodium—2,6-dichloro-
benzenone indolephenol as the indicator in the others. Samples

were analyzed using the colorimeter (8).

The % alcohol insolubles of cherry was determined by
blending 25 gm of cherry with 150 ml of 80% ethanol. The
blended material was transfered quantitatively to a beaker
with an additional 150 ml of 80% ethanol, then simmered in
a boiling water bath for 30 minutes. The alcohol insolubles
were removed from the solution by filtering through teared
Whatman #5 filter paper in a Buchner funnel. Filters were
dried for 2 hr at 70°C and weight of insolubles determined (1).

Statistical analysis of data was by Fishers F-test with

mean separation by Duncan's Multiple Range Test.

RESULTS AND DISCUSS ION

Yield was increased in 1975 for Redhaven peach and
Golden Delicious apple (Figure 1). Water above 1.9 lph did
not result in further increases in yield on Golden Delicious.
Highest yields from peach were at 3.8 and 7.6 lph. No dif4
ferences were found for other crops tested. In 1976, all
three cultivars of apple showed an increase in yield due
to trickle irrigation (Figure 2). Golden Delicious and Wayne
did not respond to additional water above 7.6 lph. Maximum
yield for Rhode Island Greening was at 15.2 lph. Peaches
responded to each increment of irrigation applied with 15.2
lph producing the highest yield (Figure 3). Cherry yield
did not increase with irrigation in either year. This may
be due to their early harvest before moisture stress can

become severe.

10

Figure 1. Yield related to the rate of trickle irrigation
in 1975. Letters indicate significance at the
5% level within each fruit. Yield of peaches is
in kg/tree, others are in kg/lOO cm2 trunk area.

 

Ire/loo cu” no“ nu

35

so

20

15

10

ll

 

o t“ 0 PEACH

o — o WAYNE

O .‘w 0 CHERRY

0 Hum O G. DEUCIUUS
O — O [LGIEEIIHG

0 1.9 3.8 7.6
RATE OF WATER- lPII

Figure l

12

Figure 2. Yield of apple related to the rate of trickle
irrigation in 1976. Letters indicate signifi—
cance at the 5% level, within each cultivar.

Ire/loo cu’ nun nu

 

13

 

C
50 MI I|‘||||I““ .;
'v
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5
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Illllllll G. DELICIOUS

10 “‘ WAYNE

I . _ R. I. GREENING

0—0
0

0 3-8 7.6 15.2

RATE OF WATER- lPll

Figure 2

14

Figure 3. Yield related to the rate of trickle irrigation

in 1976. Letters indicate significance at the

5% level. Yield of peach is kg/tree, others in
kg/100 cm2 trunk area.

Ire/loo cm2 mm um

15

3.3 7.6
III! or wnu- um

Figure 3

 

15.2

16

The peach and Rhode Island Greening increased in fruit
size (Figure 4) due to irrigation. In both Golden Delicious
and Wayne, size was not effected. June drop and pre-harvest
drop was heavy in all three cultivars of apples. Because
there was no increase in fruit size, though yield was signi—
ficantly increased, trickle irrigation may have reduced fruit
drop. This agrees with observations made during the season.

Trickle irrigation increased the leaf composition of
Na, Ca, Mg, and Al in sour cherry (Table 1). The dominate
mechanism for movement of Na, Ca, and Mg to the root is mass
flow (2,3,12,13). Of the elements studied, B and N are the
only other two which move to the root by mass flow. Boron
absorption showed a tendency to be increased by higher rates
of water, but it was not significant. Although N moves to
the root by mass flow, its uptake would not be expected to be
decreased unless transpiration was reduced by high soil moisture
tension. This is because the amount of N03 in the soil solu-
tion is controlled by biological activity and not a solid
phase equilibrium or an equilibrium with the exchangeable
ions. Therefore, when there is a smaller amount of water in
the soil, it results in a higher concn of N03 in the soil
solution instead of driving it into the solid phase or
clay particles absorbing more ions, making it less available
for the plant. Due to this, as long as transpiration is not
reduced, the same amount of N is available to the plant.

Mn is moved to the plant root by diffusion (12), and

some reports have indicated increases in movement of

17

Figure 4. The effect of trickle irrigation on fruit
size. Letters indicate significance at the
5% level within each species.

7.5

3‘

CI. DIAMETER

6.5

18

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DELICIOUS .

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15.2

19

diffusable ions due to higher soil moisture (9,10). This
appears to be due to a higher amount of the ion in the solu-
tion to maintain the same concn. This allows more time for
the ions to move to the roots before they are limiting
absorption.

Peach and plum leaves that received trickle irrigation
contained more P, Cu, and Al (Table 1). Both Cu and Al
concn in the leaves was maximum at 3.8 and 7.6 lph, and
dropped off at 0 and 15.2 lph for both crops. This gives
indirect evidence for restricted root growth at both 0 and
15.2 lph. At 0 lph, soil conditions may have been too dry
for maximum root growth, while excess water at 15.2 lph
limited root growth. Additional elements that were increased
with trickle irrigation were B in peach, and Na, Mn, Fe, and
Zn in plum.

Increasing rates of trickle irrigation on Wayne and
Golden Delicious generally reduced the concn of nutrients
in the leaves (Table 2). On Wayne, Na, B, and A1 decreased
while P and Ca content increased. No differences were found
for the other elements. Trickle irrigation decreased concn
of Ca, Mn, Fe, B, and A1 in Golden Delicous with no effect
on the other elements. This may be a dilution effect due
to greater leaf area and growth in trickle irrigated plots
rather than decreased absorption of these ions. The soil in
this orchard is more loamy than the other sites and would
therefore allow greater ion movement than in the sandier

texture soils at the same tension. Therefore, growth may

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em.vmm ~.mm n.mm «v.m m.ooa v.mh mm.o om.H o.>a mH.H ma.o nmv.~ m.m
own.mmm m.mH m.mm hm.m m.moa m.H> om.o mm.o o.ha HH.H ma.o owv.m o
‘mcflcwmuc ocmamH wponm
mm.~mm ma.ma MH.H~ mm.m cm.mm ov.vb Hm.o mmm.H m.mH hm.a ma.o mm.m m.mH
oa.om~ m.mH em.ma mm.m oma.moa M¢.om mm.o omev.a m.ha mm.a NH.o hm.~ m.n
oh.>mm o.v~ no.om mo.HH oma.moa ma.om mm.o omw¢.H m.mm Hm.H NH.o wv.~ m.m
o>.omm N.N~ oh.mm m>.m om.mHH ov.m~H mm.o oam.a o.- 5H.H ma.o mm.m o
mooaoflamo cproo
Ema: 3&9 e53 Emmy Emmy Emmy E at 2&8 so so at
2 5 m 8 mm a: m: we oz M m z and
.mamow mo mm>mma cw coaufimomeoo ucwfinusc may no.20fiummfiunfl maxvfluu mo poomwm woe .m cance

22

have been restricted in plots with less water, while nutrient
movement was not, resulting in increased concn in the leaves.
Growth measurements did not show any differences between
treatments, but data was highly variable, and a representa-
tive estimate of growth was questionable. Al was increased
in Rhode Island Greening with trickle irrigation while a
variable effect was found for N, and no response for the
other elements tested.

The rate of trickle irrigation did not effect total
solids, soluble solids, titratable acidity, or the alcohol
insoluble fraction of sour cherry (Table 3).

Total solids in peaches were not effected (Table 3).
Both soluble solids and titratable acidity were highest in
0 and 7.6 lph treatments. This follows fruit size data with
0 and 7.6 lph yielding the smallest fruit. Fruit size being
the smallest in these two treatments, there is a concn effect
on soluble solids and titratable acidity. Other factors such
as crOp load are suggested for a variable response to trickle
irrigation in this data. Irrigation had no effect on soluble
solids, or titratable acidity in plum (Table 3).

The total solids was decreased with increasing rates
of trickle irrigation on Rhode Island Greening and Wayne
(Table 4). Soluble solids of Wayne and Golden Delicious
were also decreased with higher rates of water. This may be
attributed to larger amounts of water in these resulting in
a lower ratio of dry weight to fresh weight. No differences

in treatments were found for the titratable acidity for any

23

Table 3. The effect of trickle irrigation on fruit quality

of stone fruit.z

 

 

 

Soluble Totaly Titratable Alcohol
LPH Solids Solids Acidity Insolubles
% % % %
Sour Cherry
0 14.2 15.2 1.24 1.18
3.8 14.0 14.8 1.23 1.14
7.6 14.3 15.2 1.16 1.18
15.2 14.3 15.7 1.16 1.14
29392
O 13.3b 15.4 0.90b
3.8 11.0a 12.2 0.80a
7.6 13.2b 13.6 0.85b
15.2 11.1a 11.8 0.70a
Plum
0 13.1 14.3 0.93
3.8 13.2 15.6 0.85
7.6 13.3 14.2 1.00
15.2 14.2 15.1 0.91

 

 

zMeans within each column of the same species followed by
different letters are significant at the 5% level by Duncan's
Multiple Range test.

yThe % total solids is equivalent to the % dry weight.

24

 

 

Table 4. The effect of trickle irrigation on fruit
quality of apple.2
Rate of Water (LPH)
Cultivar 0 3.8 7.6 15.2

G01. Delicious
R. I. Greening

Wayne

Gol. Delicious
R. I. Greening

Wayne

G01. Delicious
R. I. Greening

Wayne

Gol. Delicious
R. I. Greening

Wayne

 

Soluble Solids (%)

 

 

 

15.6c 15.6c 15.0b 14.3a
15.9 16.0 15.1 14.5
16.8c 15.6b 14.4a 14.9a
Total Solids (%)y
17.0 17.1 16.4 15.6
18.3b 18.5b 17.5ab 16.5a
18.1c 16.8b 15.7a 16.4b
Titratable Acidity (%)
0.63 0.58 0.57 0.65
0.86 0.95 0.90 0.92
0.75 0.60 0.61 0.58

Ascorbic Acid

9.80b 8.65b
5.32a 8.98b
11.28b 8.18a

(mg/100 9m)

8.65b 6.20a
8.65b 7.55b
8.78a 8.67a

 

zMeans within each row followed by different letters are
significant at the 5% level by Duncan's Multiple Range

test.

yThe % total solids is equivalent to the % dry weight.

25

cultivar. Ascorbic acid content of Golden Delicious and
Wayne was highest at 0 lph and decreased with an increase
of trickle irrigation. Again, this may be a dilution effect
and not necessarily decreased ascorbic acid synthesis. Rhode
Island Greening responded in a different manner. The lowest
ascorbic acid being found at 0 lph with all rates of trickle

irrigation significantly.

SUMMARY

Trickle irrigation increased yield of Redhaven peach and
Golden Delicious apple in 1975. Highest yield of peach was
at 3.8 lph with 7.6 lph not resulting in further increases.
Yield of Golden Delicious was increased with trickle irriga-
tion over no irrigation, however, there was no difference in
irrigated treatments. Yield in 1976 was increased by irriga-
tion of peach and the three cultivars of apple. The yield of
Redhaven peach and Rhode Island Greening was highest at 15.2
lph, and Golden Delicious and Wayne at 7.6 lph. Treatments
did not effect yield on Montmorency cherry and Stanley plum.
Fruit size was highest on peach at 15.2 and on Rhode Island
Greening at 3.8 and 15.2 lph. No differences in fruit size
occurred on the other crops as a result of trickle irrigation.

Nutrient content of leaves for many of the elements
was increased in peach, plum and cherry. The elements showing
the most consistent increases with irrigation were Ca, Na, Mn,

Mg, and Al. Others responding in some cases were P, B, Zn,

26

and Cu. N and K were the elements least affected by

trickle irrigation. There were decreased levels of some
elements at 15.2 lph in peach and plum. This may have been

due to excess water. Apple showed a general decrease in

concn of some elements with trickle irrigation. These
were Na, B, A1, Ca, Mn, and Fe. Because most of these
'were increased in the other crops with irrigation, a dilution

clue to increased growth may be the result of lower concn rather

tflian decreased absorption.

Trickle irrigation had no effect on total solids, soluble

scilids, or titratable acidity of cherry or plum. The alcohol

irusoluble fraction of cherry was not significantly different

four any treatment. Total solids of peach were not effected

a11:hough irrigation produced variable results on soluble solids
arufl.titratable acidity. Titratable acidity of all apple cul-

‘tixrars tested was not effected. Total solids, soluble solids,
arufl ascorbic acid was generally highest at 0 lph for apple.

Tknis appears to be more of a dilution effect because of increased

Water, rather than decreased synthesis.

10.

27

LITERATURE CITED

Anonymous. 1970. Methods of Analysis of the Association
of Official Agricultural Chemists. Eleventh ed. Washington,
D.C.

Al-Abbas, H. and S. A. Barber. 1964. Effect of root
growth and mass-flow on the availability of soil calcium

and magnesium to soybeans in a greenhouse experiment.
Soil Sci. 97:103-107.

Barber, S. A., J. M. Walker and E. H. Vasey. 1963.
Mechanisms for the movement of plant nutrients from the
soil and fertilizer to the plant root. Agri. and Food
Chem. 11:204-207.

Berstein, L. and L. E. Francois. 1973. Comparisons of
drip, furrow, and sprinkler irrigation systems. Soil Sci.
115:73-86.

Brosx, D. D. and J. L. Wiersma. 1974. Comparing trickle,
subsurface and sprinkler irrigation systems. Annual Meeting
Amer. Soc. Agri. Eng. paper No. 74-2045.

Carpenter, P. N. 1964. Spectrograph analysis of plant
tissues. Maine Agr. Exp. Sta. Misc. Publ. 666.

Kesner, C. D. and L. A. Norman. 1976. Drip irrigation
in humid areas. Sprinkler Irrigation Assoc. 70-78.

Loeffler, H. J. and J. D. Panting. 1942. Ascorbic acid.
Rapid determination in fresh, frozen or dehydrated fruits
and vegetables. Ind. Eng. Chem. Anal. ed. 14, 846.

Mederski, H. J. and J. H. Wilson. 1960. Relation of soil
moisture to ion absorption by corn plants. Soil Sci. Soc.
of Amer. Proc. 24:149-152.

Mehel, K. and L. C. Von Braunschweig. 1972. The effect
of soil moisture upon the availability of potassium and
its influence on the growth of young maize plants (Zea
mays L.). Soil Sci. 114:142—148.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

28

Oliver, S. and S. A. Barber. 1966. An evaluation of the
mechanism governing the supply of Ca, Mg, K, and Na to
soybean roots (Glycine max). Soil Sci. Soc. of Amer.
Proc. 30:82-86.

 

and . 1966. Mechanisms for the
movement of Mn, Fe, B, Du, Zn, A1, and Sr from one soil
to the surface of soybean roots (Glycone max). Soil
Sci. Soc. of Amer. Proc. 30:468-470.

 

 

 

Olsen, S. R., F. S. Watanabe and R. E. Danielson. 1961.
Phosphorus absorption by corn roots as affected by moisture
and phosphorus concentration. Soil Sci. Soc. of Amer.
Proc. 25:289-294.

Phene, C. J. and O. W. Beale. 1976. High frequency
irrigation for water nutrient management in humid regions.
Soil Sci. Soc. of Amer. J. 40:430-436.

Ponder, H. G. and A. L. Kenworthy. 1976. Trickle irriga-
tion of shade trees growing in the nursery: I. Influence
on growth. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 101:100-103.

and . 1976. Trickle irriga-
tion of shade trees growing in the nursery: II. Influence
on root distribution. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 101:104-107.

 

 

SECTION II

TRICKLE IRRIGATION IN HUMID REGIONS. II. THE EFFICIENCY
OF NITROGEN INJECTION ON FRUIT TREES

Abstract. N was applied at the recommended rate
as a ground application, and 25, 50, and 100% of that
rate injected through the trickle irrigation system
in factorial combination with trickle irrigation rates
of 1.9, 3.8, and 7.6 liters per hour (lph) in 1975,
and 3.8, 7.6, and 15.2 lph in 1976. Treatments were

established on cherry (Prunus cerasus L. cv. 'Mont-

 

morency'), plum (Prunus domestica L. cv. 'Stanley'),

 

peach (Prunus persica Batsch cv. 'Redhaven'), and apple

 

(Malus domestica Bork. cvs. 'Rhode Island Greening',

 

'Golden Delicious', and 'Wayne'). Injection treat-
ments had the same % leaf N as the ground application
in almost every case. Yield of the ground application,
100%, and 50% injection treatments were equal, but 25%
injection had varied results. Injection treatments
had no marked effect on fruit size or fruit quality.

N distribution within the tree was uniform at 7.6 lph.

N levels in the leaves were lower at 15.2 lph.

Conservation of N has become a major goal for agricul-
ture in recent years. More efficient use of N is important
to reduce energy required for synthesis, expense for growers,

29

30

and N pollution in surface and underground water.

N application through trickle irrigation has been
reported to be more efficient than banding with trickle
irrigation or furrow irrigation (5). Phosphorus content
of tomatoes was higher when P was applied through a
trickle irrigation system than when equal amounts were
banded (6). A study of the movement of N03 and P from a
trickle source indicates N may be more suitable for injec-
tion because of its mobility in the soil (7). N03 readily
moves with the water in the soil, allowing a more uniform
distribution to the plant.

This experiment was set up to test the hypothesis that
a localized application of N to the root system could decrease
the amount of N required for the same plant response. N
application could also be made over the growing season by

injection to provide the N when needed by the plant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Trickle irrigation rates were 1.9, 3.8, and 7.6 liters
per hour (lph) in 1975, and 3.8, 7.6, and 15.2 lph in 1976.
N treatments were used at the following rates in both years
in factorial combination with trickle irrigation rates.

1. The grower rate of N applied to the ground.

2. The grower rate of N injected through the trickle

irrigation system.

31

3. 50% of the grower rate of N injected through
the trickle irrigation system.
4. 25% of the grower rate of N injected through

the trickle irrigation system.

 

 

Type of Age in Kgms of N/Tree

Fruit Crop 1975 for ground application
£15. 19.7.6.

Sour Cherry 7 0.56 0.56

Peach 6 0.56 0.56

Plum 7 0.66 0.77

Apple 5 0.25 0.39

No additional N was applied to the injection treatments.
Ground applications were applied late in the fall both years.
Injection treatments of NH4NO3 were applied in four equal
amounts at weekly intervals starting June 12 in 1975, and
June 9 in 1976. Treatments were arranged in split-pot

design on cherry (Prunus cerasus L. cv. 'Montmorency'),

 

plum (Prunus domestica L. cv. 'Stanley'), peach (Prunus

 

persica Batsch, cv. 'Redhaven'), and apple (Malus domestica
Bork. cvs. 'Wayne', 'Golden Delicious', and 'Rhode Island
Greening'). Apple, plum, and peach had five replications per
treatment, with four trees per block in apple and peach,

and five in plum. Cherry had ten blocks per treatment,

with five trees per block.

32

Accumulation of N in the leaves was monitored in cherry
at 7.6 lph for each of the N treatments. Samples were col-
lected from three replications prior to the first N injection
and continued at weekly intervals until all N had been applied.
In all cases, N analysis was by the macro-Kjeldahl method (1).

To determine the effect of emitter placement on the
distribution of N within the tree, the three rates of irri-
gation were sampled all with 100% of the grower's rate of
N injected. Sampling time was late July. Five replications
were sampled in the cherry, taking one sample from the side
of the tree with the emitter, and another from the side with-
out the emitter.

Leaf samples were collected in mid-July over all crops
and replications for N analysis. Fruit samples were collected
at harvest to determine the various quality factors, and were
handled as described in the previous paper.

Yield data was adjusted to kg/100 cm2 of trunk area for
all crops except peach. Fruit size was estimated by the number
of gms per 100 fruit for plum and cherry, and the average

diameter of 25 fruits per replication in apple and peach.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Nitrogen content of leaves sampled in 1975 was the same
for all N treatments of plum, peach, and Golden Delicious
apple. Sour cherry had a lower N content at 50% injection,

however, both 25% and 100% injection was as high as the

33

ground application (Table 1). Rhode Island Greening had
higher leaf N in the ground application than injecting

50% of the ground application, while Wayne had the highest
% N in the 50% injection. Samples taken in 1976 had the
same % N content for all treatments in plum, peach, and
apple cultivars Golden Delicious and Rhode Island Greening
(Table 2). In sour cherry, N content was the same for the
ground application 100, End 50% injection, but injecting
25% of the ground application had a lower % N. N content
of Wayne was highest at 50% injection.

Surface application of N is a less efficient method of
applying N than by injecting it. Loss of N through volatili-
zation of NH3 has been reported to be from 14 to 35% from
surface applied N (3,4), but incorporation of 1.5 inches
reduced loss to 4% (3). N applied through the trickle irri-
gation system is moved into the soil and thus reduces this
loss. Surface run-off and leaching loss would be reduced
by spreading the application period over time, while surface
run-off is reduced to almost none by moving the N into the
soil. Immobilization of N should also be reduced by applying
the N when the plants need it, making the plant more compe-
titive with the microorganisms for the N. Another factor
which could aid in increased efficiency of N utilization is
reduced NH4 fixation. By applying the N with the water, it
would be in the area of soil which is prevented from excessive
drying. This should aid in the prevention of absorption of

NH4 by the clay particles.

34

Table 1. Leaf nitrogen related to rate and method of

application of nitrogen (1975).z

 

Ground
Crop Application

Sour Cherry 2.83b
Plum 2.47
Peach 3.85
Apple
G. Delicious 2.43
R. I. Greening 2.22b
Wayne 2.24a

Percent Injected

 

100

2.80ab
2.42

3.80

50 25

Percent of dry weight

2.56a 2.75ab

2.46 2.45
3.90 3.77
2.41

1.98a

2.30b

 

zMeans within each row followed

by different letters are

significant at the 5% level by Duncan's Multiple Range

test.

35

Table 2. Leaf nitrogen related to rate and method of

application of nitrogen (1976).z

 

Percent Injected

 

Ground
Crop Application 100 50 25

Percent of dry weight

Sour Cherry 2.83b 2.81b 2.82b 2.60a
Plum 2.98 2.99 2.94 2.85
Peach 3.71 3.84 3.81 3.69
Apple

G. Delicious 2.52 2.51

R. I. Greening 2.44 2.40

Wayne 2.36a 2.48b

 

zMeans within each row followed by different letters are
significant at the 5% level by Duncan's Multiple Range
test.

36

Because N injection is a more efficient method of
application, one would expect injecting 100% of the ground
application to result in higher N values. This was not
realized in the data, and some reasons may be suggested.

N03 uptake appears to be an active process, transported
across the cell membrane by a carrier. This is similar

to an enzymatic reaction in that the carrier becomes
saturated, and additional N will not result in increased
uptake (2). At 100% injection, the carrier may be saturated
while at 50% injection the optimum concn for maximum uptake
without too much time required in the soil before the N is
used may have been reached. By minimizing the time in the
soil before absorption losses such as leaching, denitrifica-
tion, immobilization, and volatilization are minimized.
These losses probably account for the lower efficiency of N
usage at 100% injection.

Yield of the crOps tested generally were unaffected by N
treatments (Table 3,4). Sour cherry, Rhode Island Greening
and Wayne showed no difference in yield for all N treatments
in 1975, and Golden Delicious and Rhode Island Greening had
showed no difference in 1976. For other crops tested in
1975 and 1976, yield was usually different for only one N
treatment, generally the 25% injection. Apple cultivars
and peach yields varied between the two years of the study.
In apple, the difference is largely due to increased age
and size of the tree. Peaches yield less in 1975 due to

over thinning using a trunk shaker.

37

Table 3. The effect of rate and method of application

of nitrogen on yield (1975).z

 

Percent Injected

 

Ground
Crop Application 100 50 25

 

kg/lOO cm2 Trunk Area

 

Sour Cherry ‘ 16.5 16.7 16.0 15.4
Peachy 23.7b 18.4a 20.9ab 22.4b
Apple

G. Delicious 20.8b 14.8a

R. I. Greening 11.0 10.3

Wayne 21.2 19.6

 

YYield in kg/tree.

zMeans within each row followed by different letters are
significant at the 5% level by Duncan's Multiple Range
test.

38

Table 4. The effect of rate and method of application

of nitrogen on yield (1976).z

 

Percent Injected

 

 

 

Ground
Crop Application 100 50 25
kg/100 cm2 Trunk Area

Sour Cherry 12.7b 10.9b 10.1b 9.1a
Plum 48.3b 39.0a 40.6a 48.4b
Peachy 46.2a 33.5b 43.7a 42.2a
Apple

G. Delicious 44.5 43.3

R. I. Greening 21.3 16.4

Wayne 36.9b 26.0a

 

yYield in kg/tree.

zMeans within each row followed by different letters are
significant at the 5% level by Duncan's Multiple Range
test.

39

Results of the % N content of leaves and yield indi-
cate that the amount of N can be reduced to 50% of normal
recommended rates by injecting it, and still maintain the
recommended % leaf N and yield. Injection of 25% N generally
did not result in significantly reduced leaf N, but numeri-
cally it was less. This accounts for the variable yields
obtained at this rate of injection. Injection of 50% of the
grower rate maintained yield as high as the ground applica-
tion in all but three cases over the tWo years, and as high
or higher leaf N.

Accumulation of leaf N is rapid from N injection. Prior
to injection, the fall applied ground application had the
highest leaf N (Figure 1). One week after first injection,
no significant differences between N treatments were found.
This pattern continued throughout the rest of the season.

Tables 5 and 6 indicate that the rate of water did not
have very much effect on the N content of the trees. The
distribution of N within the tree was affected by the rate
of water (Figure 2). At 3.8 lph, the N was concentrated on
the side of the tree with the emitter, while N was evenly
distributed in the tree at 7.6 lph. N content at 15.2 lph
was the lowest of the three rates of water indicating there
was some denitrification and leaching of N03 out of the root
zone.

Fruit size was unaffected by N treatment on sour cherry
and plum (Table 7). Peach size was largest at 50 and 100%

injection (Table 8). Variable results occurred in the three

40

Figure l. Accumulation of leaf nitrogen (%) related to
time and rate of application on sour cherry.
I under dates represents injections of nitrogen.

 

41

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42

Table 5. Leaf nitrogen related to rate of water when

nitrogen is injected (1975).z

 

Rate of Water (LPH)

 

Crop 1.9 3.8 7.6

Percent of dry weight

 

Sour Cherry 2.64a 2.69a 2.88b
Plum 2.50b 2.45ab 2.39a
Peach 3.68a 3.85b 3.97b
Apple
G. Delicious 2.37a 2.50b 2.39a
R. I. Greening 2.05 2.14 2.11
Wayne 2.24 2.27 2.31

 

zMeans within each row followed by different letters are
significant at the 5% level by Duncan's Multiple Range
test.

43

Table 6. Leaf nitrogen related to rate of water when

nitrogen is injected (1976).z

 

Rate of Water (LPH)

 

Crop 3.8 7.6 15.2

 

Percent of dry weight

 

Sour Cherry 2.74 2.80 2.76
Plum 2.88a 3.01b 2.93ab
Peach 3.71 3.81 3.76
Apple-
G. Delicious 2.37a 2.61b 2.58b
R. I; Greening 2.38 2.34 2.55
Wayne 2.36 2.49 2.43

 

zMeans within each row followed by different letters are
significant at the 5% level by Duncan's Multiple Range
test.

Figure 2.

44

The interaction between the rate of water
and emitter location on the distribution
of nitrogen in the tree. Letters indicate
significance between emitter placement,
and numbers between rates of water at the
5% level.

 

2.9

2.8

I"
N

I"
a

“A NITROGEN

2.5

45

EMITTER SIDE
NO EMITTER

 

 

3.8 7.6 15.2
RATE OF WATER" lPII

Figure 2

46

Table 7. The effect of rate and method of application

of nitrogen on fruit size (1976).2

 

Percent ijected

 

Crop Application 100 50 25
gm/lOO fruits
Sour Cherry 468 473 473 469

Plum 2740 2753 2835 2856

 

2Treatments were not significant at the 5% level by
Fisher's F-test.

47

Table 8. The effect of rate and method of application

of nitrogen on fruit size (1976).2

 

Percent Injected

 

 

 

Ground
Crop Application 100 50 25
cm. Diameter

Peach 6.40a 6.73c 6.64bc 6.55ab
Apple

G. Delicious 7.56b 7.40a

R. I. Greening 7.10a 7.37b

Wayne 7.32 7.41

 

zMeans within each row followed by different letters are
significant at the 5% level by Duncan's Multiple Range

test.

48

apple cultivars.

Total solids, soluble solids, and titratable acidity
of peach and plum were unaffected by N treatment (Table 9).
Titratable acidity and alcohol insolubles of cherry were the
same for all N treatments, but soluble solids and total
solids were increased at 25% injection. Results were
variable on the three apple cultivars (Table 10). Soluble
solids were increased on Wayne, decreased on Golden Delicious,
and no effect on Rhode Island Greening. Total solids were
identical to soluble solids in response. Titratable acidity
was increased in Wayne and Rhode Island Greening, and de-
creased in Golden Delicious. Ascorbic acid content was the
same in Golden Delicious and Rhode Island Greening, but

higher for Wayne at 50% injection.
SUMMARY

Injection of N at 50% of the ground application re-
sulted in equal leaf N, yield, fruit size, and fruit quality
to the ground application in most instances. At 25% in-
jection, leaf N was generally not significantly different,
but was numerically lower, and had a varied effect on yield
compared to the other N treatments. Injection of 25% of
the ground application does not appear sufficient to main-
tain yield over the years of production.

The rate of water influences both the distribution of

N and the amount accumulated within the tree. At 3.8 lph,

49

 

 

 

Table 9. Fruit quality of stone fruits related to rate
and method of application of nitrogen.2
Soluble Totaly Titratable Alcohol
Treatment Solids Solids Acidity Insolubles
% % % %
Sour Cherry

Ground Application 14.2 15.2a 1.18 1.17
100% — Injected 13.8 15.2a 1.18 1.15

50% — Injected 14.1 15.1a 1.18 1.12

25% - Injected 14.9 15.8b 1.18 1.18

£13m

Ground Application 10.0 13.6 0.91

100% - Injected 9.9 13.0 0.93

50% - Injected 9.8 13.4 0.96

25% - Injected 9.7 13.0 0.94

2222

Ground Application 11.8 12.5 0.78
100% - Injected 11.6 12.3 0.85

50% - Injected 11.4 12.3 0.80

25% - Injected 10.6 11.4 0.79

 

zMeans within each column of the same species followed by
different letters are significant at the 5% level by
Duncan's Multiple Range test.

yThe % total solids is equivalent to the % dry weight.

50

Table 10. The effect of rate and method of application

of nitrogen on fruit quality of apples.2

 

Soluble Totaly Titratable Ascorbic
Treatment Solids Solids Acidity Acid
% % % mg/100 gm

Rhode Island Greening

 

Ground Application 15.2 17.5 0.92 8.39

50% - Injected 15.2 17.8 0.95 9.56
m

Ground Application 15.0a 16.3a 0.60a 8.54a

50% - Injected 15.9b 17.6b 0.76b 12.85b

Golden Delicious

 

Ground Application 14.9b 16.4b 0.60b 8.00
50% - Injected 14.4a 15.8a 0.54a 6.83

 

zMeans within each column of the same cultivar followed by
different letters are significant at the 5% level by Duncan's
Multiple Range test.

YThe % total solids is equivalent to the % dry weight.

51

the spread of water was not adequate to move N03 to the
opposite side of the tree from its point of injection.
N was equal on both sides of the tree at 7.6 lph. Data
from the interaction between emitter placement and rate
of water indicates less accumulation of N at 15.2 lph.

Accumulation of N after injection is quite rapid.
Within one week after the first injection of N, there was
no significant differences between treatments. Additional
injections increased N levels in the leaves, but not higher
than the ground application.

Results of this experiment indicate N application can
be reduced to 50% of the amount normally applied, and main-
tain the same tree responses. The rate of trickle irriga-
tion effects its performance when applied, with 7.6 lph

being the optimum rate in this sandy loam soil.

'7.

52

LITERATURE CITED

Anonymous. 1970. Methods of analysis of the Associa-
tion of Official Agricultural Chemists. Eleventh ed.
Washington, D.C.

Eppley, R. W., J. N. Rogers and J. J. McCarthy. 1969.
Half-saturation constants for uptake of nitrate and
ammonium by marine phytoplankton. Limnol and Oceanog.
14:912-920.

Ernst, J. W. and H. F. Massey. 1960. The effect of
several factors on volatilization of ammonia formed

from urea in the soil. Soil Sci. Soc. of Amer. Proc.
24:87-90.

Gandhi, A. P. and K. V. Palieval. 1976. Mineralization
and gaseous losses of nitrogen from urea and ammonium
sulphate in salt-affected soils. Plant and Soil.
45:247-255.

Miller, R. J., D. E. Rolston, R. S. Rauschkolb and D. W.
Wolfe. 1976. Drip application of nitrogen is efficent.
Calif. Agri. 30:16-18.

Rauschkolb, R. S., D. E. Rolston, R. J. Miller, A. B.
Carlton, and R. G. Burau. 1976. Phosphorus fertili-
zation with drip irrigation. Soil Sci. Soc. of Amer.
J. 40:68-72.

Yosef, B. B. and M. R. Sheikholslami. 1976. Distri-
bution of water and ions in soils irrigated and ferti-
lized from a trickle source. Soil Sci. Soc. of Amer. J.
40:575-582.

S UMMARY

Trickle irrigation plots were established on sour
cherry, plum, peach and apple, with treatments of 0, 1.9,
3.8, 7.6 lph in 1975, and 0, 3.8, 7.6, and 15.2 lph in
1976. Yields of peach and Wayne were increased in 1975
and 1976 with trickle irrigation. Rhode Island Greening
and Golden Delicious yields were higher in 1976 with trickle
irrigation. No differences were found between irrigated
and nonirrigated plots of cherry and plum.

Fruit size was increased on peach and Rhode Island
Greening with trickle irrigation. Golden Delicious, Wayne
and the sour cherry and plum did not respond to irrigation.

Absorption of some elements was increased in peach,
plum and sour cherry. Elements generally showing increases
were P, Na, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Al. Elements with the least
response to irrigation were N and K. At 15.2 lph, many of
the composition values of the elements were lower. Nutrient
composition of apples were reduced for some elements. These
were Na, Fe, B, and A1.

Some of the quality factors measured for the fruits
were changed with trickle irrigation. Alcohol insolubles
were not changed in cherry. Ascorbic acid content was de-
creased in apple with irrigation. Other factors measured

53

54

for their respective crops either were not changed, or
had variable results.

In the second experiment, N was injected through
the trickle irrigation system with different rates of
water. By injecting 50% of the amount applied to the
ground leaf N and yield was as high as the ground appli-
cation for the crOps tested. Injection of 25% of the
ground application produced variable results on yield.
Fruit size and fruit quality was generally not affected
by N treatment.

Optimum rate of water for N injection in the sandy
loam soil was 7.6 lph. At this rate, N distribution was
equal in the tree. At 15.2 lph, the amount of N in the
tree was reduced, while at 3.8 lph, distribution in the

tree was unequal.

LITERATURE CITED

10.

LITERATURE CITED

Anonymous. 1970. Methods of analysis of the Associa-
tion of Official Agricultural Chemists. Eleventh ed.
Washington, D. C.

Al-Abbas, H. and S. A. Barber. 1964. Effect of root
growth and mass flow on the availability of soil cal-
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ment. Soil Sci. 97:103-107.

Barber, S. A., J. M. Walker and E. H. Vasey. 1963.
Mechanisms for the movement of plant nutrients from
the soil and fertilizer to the plant root. Agri. and
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Bernstein, L. and L. E. Francois. 1973. Comparisons
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Brosz, D. D. and J. L. Wiersma. 1974. Comparing trickle,
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Carpenter, P. N. 1964. Spectrograph analysis of
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Eppley, R. W., J. N. Rogers and J. J. McCarthy. 1969.
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um by marine phytoplankton. Limnol. and Oceanog. 14:
912-920.

Ernst, J. W. and H. F. Massey. 1960. The effect of
several factors on volatilization of ammonia formed

from urea in the soil. Soil Sci. Soc. of Amer. Proc.
24:87-90.

Gandhi, A. P. and K. V. Palieval. 1976. Mineraliza-
tion and gaseous losses of nitrogen from urea and
ammonium sulphate in salt-affected soils. Plant and
Soil. 45:247-255.

Kesner, C. D. and L. A. Norman. 1976. Drip irrigation
in humid areas. Sprinkler Irrigation Assoc. 70-78.

55

ll.

12.

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Loeffler, H. J. and J. D. Panting. 1942. Ascorbic
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Mederski, H. J. and J. H. Wilson. 1960. Relation of
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its influence on the growth of young maize plants
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Mengel, K. and L. C. Von Braunschweig. 1972. The
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Miller, R. J., D. E. Rolston, R. S. Rauschkolb and
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Oliver, S. and S. A. Barber. 1966. An evaluation of
the mechanism governing the supply of Ca, Mg, K, and
Na to soybean roots (Glycine max). Soil Sci. Soc. of
Amer. Proc. 30:82-86.

 

and . 1966. Mechanisms for
the movement of Mn, Fe, B, Cu, Zn, Al, and Sr, from
one soil to the surface of soybean roots (Glycine max).
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Olsen, S. R., F. S. Watanabe and R. E. Danielson.
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irrigation of shade trees growing in the nursery: I.
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and . 1976. Trickle
irrigation of shade trees growing in the nursery: II.
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Sci. 101:104-107.

 

 

Rauschkolb, R. S., D. E. Rolston, R. J. Miller, A. B.
Carlton and R. G. Burau. 1976. Phosphorus fertili-

zation with drip irrigation. Soil Sci. Soc. of Amer.
J0 40:68_720

22.

57

Yosef, B. B. and Mr. Sheikholslami. 1976. Distri-
bution of water and ions in soils irrigated from a

trickle source. Soil Sci. Soc. of Amer. J. 40:575-
582.

 

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