Water requirements and irrigation of mature mango trees.
Mostert P. G., Hoffman J. E.
Author Affiliation: Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops, Private Bag X11208, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa.
: 331-338
Abstract : During 1988, an irrigation trial was initiated with 12-year-old mango cv. Fascell trees to determine their seasonal water requirements. The experiment was conducted for 6 consecutive years in Nelspruit, South Africa. Irrigation scheduling was conducted with the aid of tensiometers placed at 300, 600 and 900 mm soil depth, and the quantity of water applied was measured with flow meters. Stress-treated trees were not irrigated during the winter months (May-August, flower bud development period) and little rainfall occurred at this time. Annual production increased by 9%, and water use decreased by 20%, when irrigating was withheld during the winter. Water stress did not reduce fruit size. The total seasonal water requirement of the trees under optimal irrigation was ~11?976 m³/ha annually. The seasonal water use of non-stressed trees varied from 20 to 44 m³/ha daily, from winter to summer, respectively.