The most suitable water use range in lime tree (Citrus aurantifolia) with drip ‎irrigation method in Minab city

In order to determine the optimum water consumption in lime tree (Citrus aurantifolia), A three years field experiment in a randomized complete block design from 2006 to 2008 was conducted using drip irrigation at Minab Agricultural Research Station. Treatments consisted of four water intake: I1) full irrigation: 100% of the water intake, I2) I1 + 25%I1, I3) I1 - 25%I1, I4) I1 - 50%I1 with three replications. The plant's water requirement was calculated using the FAO-56 method and the irrigation interval was set up every two days. Based on the results, increasing the water consumption increased the yield. Significantly differences were found in yield (P ≤0.01) and water productivity (P ≤0.05) among the treatments. It seems in normal years (without shortage water), I2 treatment is the best due to the highest yield (6709 kg/ha), and in drought years, I4 treatment because of less water use (about 50% I1) and the highest water productivity (0.73 kg/m3), is a good option for saving water consumption. Also, according to the results, the amount of water consumed by this plant in this region was obtained 22% more than the calculated value by the Soil and Water Research Institute.