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Introduction to the G.V. Post Harvest Deficit Irrigation Trial
Henry Schneider
Department of Primary Industries
Cobram, Victoria, Australia
Email: Henry.Schneider@dpi.vic.gov.au | Rebecca Bruce, DPI Tatura shows orchardists the effects of post harvest irrigation treatments. |
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Introduction
Two Goulburn Valley orchardists combined with DPI’s irrigation researcher Dr Ian Goodwin in a new research project to investigate how much water stress fruit trees could endure and how much water is really needed, for peach and pear trees after harvest.
Dr Ian Goodwin posed the question "Are there any water savings possible after harvest, using similar RDI applications as would be applied earlier in spring, but without any detrimental affects on the following years crop?"
This is different to the Regulated Deficit Irrigation or ‘RDI’ program conducted this season on an orchard in Swan Hill - where water savings were targeted before harvest during the spring growth period. However, the trial results on the Tatura 204 peaches could also be applicable to irrigated stone fruit orchards in the Mallee.
Previous Information:
“There have been no studies in Australia linking the post harvest irrigation management of peaches and pears to production in the following season,” said Dr Goodwin at the field days.
Treatments:
The experiments were established in Williams pears and Tatura 204 peaches on commercial orchards in the Goulburn Valley. Soil moisture and the amount of stress on the trees were measured.
| Dr Ian Goodwin, explains aims and layout of the ‘Post Harvest DI’ trial |
The treatments of 50, 75, 100, 160 and 200 percent of the grower’s normal irrigation volume on the peach's and 0, 50, 100, 160 and 200 percent of the scheduled irrigation volume on the pears, have been regularly monitored by using gypsum blocks, measuring leaf water potential and leaf conductance.
Where To From Here:
Measures of flower bud dry wieght will be done after leaf fall, possibly mid June and other measurements to come are flowering density, flower set and fruit counts by reference date on the T204 in early November 2008. Measurements of parameters such as fruit size and yield will also be undertaken at harvest.
The detailed measurements, some pictures and video footage of the trees and field day will be available by late May. Swan Hill and district orchardists are invited to follow the links below to keep up to date as the trial progresses through to harvest.
Funding for the project was provided by the Victorian State Government as part of the drought support program for irrigated orchardists. | Henry Schneider, discussing irrigation management options to consider in dry seasons. |
Latest Updates:
| Post Harvest 2008 |
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