Efecto del volumen de suelo húmedo en riego localizado para el cultivo del avellano (Corylus avellana L.)

Abstract

The productive and vegetative behaviour and fruit quality of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) was determined in response to 4 wet soil volumes receiving the same amount of water irrigation, 3 of them (6, 15, 33%) generated by drip irrigation and 1 (70%) with microsprayers, expressed in terms of potential root exploration volume. The experiment was conducted on the cultivar ‘Pauetet’ in a commercial farm in Tarragona (Spain). The smaller volume of wet soil (6 %) generated the lower production of hazelnut in shell. Also the highest percentage of wet soil volume (70%) generated by microsprayer irrigation showed water stress due to the low water content of the soil and, probably, a higher evaporation of the soil surface, with hazelnut in shell productions like those achieved with the volume of 6% wet soil. Increased production of the hazelnut in shell and the greater vegetative shoot growth were achieved with a percentage of 33% wet soil volume. According to the results obtained in the production and quality parameters it would be advisable the drip irrigation for a minimum percentage of 33% wet soil volume.