Comparison of Different Deficit Irrigation Management Strategies in Orange

In the current study, effects of different deficit irrigation strategies on yield of orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) were investigated in randomized complete block design. The treatments were including (T1) Traditional method of irrigation, (T2) irrigation based on water requirement, (T3) deficit irrigation based on 75% water requirement, (T4) deficit irrigation based on 50% water requirement; (T5) Partial root-zone drying based on 75% water requirement, (T6) Partial root-zone drying, based on 50% water requirement. Results showed that for yield, T5 had no significant difference related to T2. However, T3 and T4 had 28% and 34% difference related to T2. Furthermore, T6 had highest water use efficiency (9.3 kg/m3) and was selected as the best treatment. The lowest value of water use efficiency was for T1 (4.8 kg/m3). Calculating Net Presence Value (NPV) of treatments shows that T2 treatment is the most economical treatment.