Experimental research of high-quality efficient irrigation on grape in the oasis region

The objective of this study is to explore a new high-quality efficient irrigation pattern in arid areas of northwest China. Field experiment was conducted in the oasis region of Shiyang River basin, Gansu Province in 2004～2006 to evaluate the effects of different partial root-zone irrigation patterns, i.e, alternate partial root-zone drip irrigation(ADI), fixed partial root-zone drip irrigation(FDI) and conventional drip irrigation(CDI) on table grape(Vitis vinifera L. cv Rizamat) yield, quality and water use efficiency(WUE). The results showed that ADI saved half irrigation water with no significant yield reduction. ADI had amost the same fruit yield and higher total soluble solids concentration than control but with redder colour and earlier maturity, lower titrated acid and much higher vitamin C content. Furthermore, ADI plants had increased water use efficiency by 36.59% as compared to control plants. Advancement in fruit maturity and enhancement of quality could be achieved without detrimental effect on fruit yield by application of ADI. This research suggests that ADI has the potential for use in orchard as a high-quality efficient irrigation pattern in arid areas with limited water in northwest China.