Combined impacts of different irrigation levels and potassium doses on drip-irrigated pomegranate yield, quality, water productivity, cracking rate, and the economic net return

The objective of the present study was to investigate the impacts of potassium and different levels of irrigation on the yield, cracking, quality, net economical return, and water consumption of the pomegranate (Punica granatum L. -cv. Hicaznar), and was carried out at the Alata Horticultural Research Institute in 2012, 2014, and 2015 growing season in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. The main plots and subplots were set up as the potassium doses (K-0: 0 g/tree; K-1:300-350-400 g/tree; K-2:600-650-700 g/tree) and irrigation level (I-75:0.75; I-100:1.00; I-125:1.25). An experiment was a split-plot design with three replications for the arrangement and analyses of the aforementioned 9 treatment combinations. Irrigation was conducted when the cumulative evaporation was found to be 30 +/- 5 mm. According to the experimental results, the potassium and the irrigation levels were found to profoundly affect the total pomegranate yield and yield components at a statistical error of 1% and 5%. The lowest yield was found to be at K0I75, and the highest yield was found to be at K1I125 for all 3 years. It was observed that lower irrigation levels led to lower yield. When irrigation levels were studied concerning potassium levels, the I-75 level was found to produce the lowest yield. The total irrigation water for all treatments was 254-416 mm and the seasonal evapotranspiration (ET) was 387-670 mm according to the treatment. It was illustrated that potassium dose and irrigation levels significantly influenced water productivity (WP) and irrigation water productivity (IWP). The lowest level for WP was 4.77 kg m(-3) at the K0I125 level, and the highest level for WP was 9.54 kg m(-3) at the K1I75 level. The lowest level for IWP was 6.84 kg m(-3) at the I-125 level, and the highest level for IWP was 13.49 kg m(-3) at the I-75 level. The potassium and irrigation levels were found to affect the pomegranate yield, cracking rate, and amount of fruit, as well as parameters that represent quality, such as fruit rind thickness and amount of aril, at a statistically significant level. As a result, K1I125 levels can be recommended for a high amount of yield in the field of pomegranate cultivation with drip irrigation. The WP, IWP levels, total yield, waste yield levels, and economic net return support the use of K1I100 irrigation in conditions of drought. Over the 3-year combined economic analysis, the K1I125 treatment produced the maximum net income followed by the K1I100 treatment.