Determination of Apple Water Productivity with Surface and Drip Irrigation Systems in Iran

Providing food security in scarcity conditions of water resources requires the optimal management of irrigation water. Estimation or determination of indices of water consumption management, such as water productivity in agricultural productions is one of the most important key in macro-planning for the supply, allocation and consumption of water in different sections such as agricultural section. Therefore, conducting a research at the national level that can lead to the real water productivity in the horticultural production in Iran, is essential and important. According to the production (3.4 million tons), a significant amount of surface and groundwater resources are consumed for apple production. This research was conducted with the aim of determining the amount of consumed water in apple orchards in selected provinces under the management of gardeners at the national level. Findings of this study could assist to the decision on management of water and agriculture.

The selected provinces were East Azarbaijan, West Azarbaijan, Ardabil, Isfahan, Tehran, Khorasan Razavi, Fars and Semnan. The water productivity in 145 sites was estimated, in addition to direct measurement of water consumption and crop yield. The factors such as irrigation systems, apple cultivars, gardeners' education, soil texture; and salinity of soil and irrigation water were also measured or recorded in apple orchards. The ANOVA was used to investigate the possible difference between the volume of consumed water, yield, and water productivity in apple production.

The results showed that the difference between the volume of water consumption, crop yield and water productivity was very significant in the orchards from provinces. The volume of consumed water and crop yield in apple orchards over the country averaged 9814 m3 ha-1 and 23.2 t ha-1, respectively. The water index was 2.73 kg m-3 in apple orchards over the country. The lowest and highest water productivity were obtained from the orchards of Fars and Semnan provinces.

Some strategies have been proposed to optimize the consumption of water resources; and to improve apple yield and water productivity in the country's level. The results of the research in apple orchards of selected provinces in Iran revealed that average of water consumption in apple orchards were 9814 m3 ha-1 with the water productivity of 2.73 kg m-3. Application of high-efficiency and well-managed irrigation systems, and other appropriate improving methods of water productivity can lead to optimal use of water resources, improve yield and enhance water productivity in production.