Irrigation in Fruit Trees Fruit trees, like other plants and all living things, need to be provided with sufficient water from the soil in order to ensure healthy development and continuous and productive yields. The water required according to the needs of fruit types and species should be given to the soil with artificial irrigation (LINK irrigation methods) if it cannot be met by rainfall. Irrigation is the process of delivering the water needed by fruit trees, which cannot be met naturally, to the root zone of the fruit tree. The water to be given may vary according to the age, type and type of fruit, the climatic conditions of the planted place and the soil content. For example, apple, which needs water the most among fruit trees, grows without irrigation in the Black Sea region, but needs water every 30 days in Tokat, Kocaeli and Amasya, and every 10-15 days in Central Anatolia. In loamy soils, irrigation is less frequent than in light sandy soils. For example, while plum trees need more water, fruit trees such as almonds and cherries need less water. Irrigation times; Fruit orchards are irrigated in all four seasons of the year, depending on the conditions and requirements. Winter Irrigation; This irrigation, which is carried out in places with arid climate and low water in the summer season, is done to complete the subsoil water, especially in places where rainfall is low, and to prevent the young shoots from drying out in winter. The water that flows in winter is stored for summer. In order to prevent the rains and melting snow water from flowing over the surface of the soil, small hark formed by the flowing waters are turned into gardens and water is provided to the tree roots from the barren parts of the steppe and steppe transition areas where irrigation is not possible. Spring Irrigation; As in winter irrigation, the lack of water in the soil can be eliminated in the spring months when water is relatively abundant. With the melting snow water, water in streams, streams and rivers increases. In this way, release water can be given to nearby orchards. Summer Irrigation; It is the most efficient irrigation in orchards. In this irrigation, which starts in May, if summer irrigation is started early in places with dry spring months, fruit set increases and yield is high. When summer irrigation is not done on time, there is fruit loss called June shedding in the trees. In places with early onset of autumn frosts and severe winters; it is not appropriate to extend summer irrigation into the autumn, in this case, the shoots will not grow well and will be more damaged by frosts. Summer irrigations are carried out at different time intervals up to 7-60 days depending on climatic conditions, soil type and the needs of the fruit species. Fall Irrigation; In places where late summer and early fall months are dry, fruit trees often have to enter winter without sufficient nutrient storage and before flower buds reach their normal development. Since the trees are affected by winter frosts, it is seen that the flower buds do not develop normally in the spring and therefore they are unable to set fruit. Fall irrigation can be done once or twice to maintain plant growth. Determination of irrigation time and the amount of water to be given to the gardens; Irrigation in orchards should be done at the time when the trees need water.
However, it is not as simple as in other cultivated plants. The sign of thirst in trees is too late, as a significant part of the fruits fall when the leaves are expected to wilt. Weeds are the basis for water needs in orchards. Herbaceous plants begin to wither more quickly with the decrease of water in the soil. But the most healthy methods for measuring soil moisture; 1- Gravimetric method 2.Porous gypsum blocks 3-Tensiometers 4-Moisture meter (aquater) 5-Neutron method Water Regulation in Fruit Trees Water, which is the most important building material of plant tissues, contains 50-75% of the branches and leaves, 60-85% of the roots and 85% or more of many fleshy fruits. The main function of water is to dissolve and transport nutrients. It is also involved in many chemical processes and plays an important role in photosynthesis. In all fruit trees, water is essential for plant growth and yield.
