Effect of fertigation through drip system on nitrogen dynamics, growth, yield and quality of apricot

The present studies were undertaken to investigate the effect of fertigation on nitrogen dynamics, growth, yield and quality of apricot (cv. NewCastle). Different levels of nitrogen (100, 80, 60 and 40 per cent of recommended dose) were tried through drip fertigation and compared with conventional soil application both under irrigated and rainfed conditions. The NO3-N under fertigation was higher in the upper soil layers than found for conventional soil fertilization suggesting higher leaching losses in the later. The NH4-N concentration was higher under the emitters and decreased both vertically and laterally, whereas, NO3-N content decreased vertically and increased laterally up to 30 cm distance from the emitter. Fertigation markedly improved the tree vigour and fruit yield over soil fertilization both with and without irrigations. However, the differences in yield under 100, 80 and 60 per cent of recommended dose were statistically non-significant. This suggests 40 per cent savings of N fertilizer besides marked increase in yield. Fertigation, in general, did not improve the fruit quality.