Dasberg, S., Institute of Soil and Water, Department of Citriculture, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Erner, Y., Institute of Soil and Water, Department of Citriculture, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel

An irrigation experiment was carried out in a ten year old Mineola grove in the coastal plain of Israel during a period of six years. Three irrigation methods (microsprinklers, one drip lateral per tree row and two drip laterals) were tested with two amounts of irrigation water. Three levels of nitrogen fertigation (100, 200, and 300 kg N/ha) were also tested for their effects on tree growth, yield and fruit quality. Tree growth decreased when less water was applied at the end of the irrigation season, although yield was less affected. The fruits of the stressed trees were smaller and higher in sugar and acid content. Low nitrogen application (100 kg N/ha) caused a gradual decline in fruit yield and in leaf nitrogen content. Larger fruits with thinner rinds were obtained as compared with 200 and 300 kg N/ha. Drip irrigation with two laterals gave increased tree growth and higher yields than drip irrigation with one lateral and microsprinklers. © ISHS.