Open AccessTHE EFFECT OF IRRIGATION DOSES ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF Citrus clementina variety “Fina Berkane”, A VARIETY OF CLEMENTINE PRODUCED IN TRIFFA PLAIN, NORTH EASTERN MOROCCO
Author(s) -
Anwar Bousamid,
Btissam Mzabri,
Jamal Benyazid,
Zerhoune Messaoudi,
Abdelmajid Belabed,
Abdelbasset Berrichi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of experimental biology and agricultural sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.108
H-Index - 2
ISSN - 2320-8694
DOI - 10.18006/2021.9(4).432.438
Subject(s) - irrigation , clementine (nuclear reactor) , agriculture , environmental science , loam , drip irrigation , productivity , yield (engineering) , deficit irrigation , irrigation management , agronomy , horticulture , geography , biology , soil water , archaeology , soil science , metallurgy , economics , materials science , remote sensing , macroeconomics
Morocco is a Mediterranean country with an economy based on exporting agricultural products mainly to Europe. However, the ongoing climate change characterized by the frequency and the intensity of drought, along with the regularity of the rainfall is undeniably affecting the productivity of major agricultural products in Morocco. Citriculture is one of the key pillars of agricultural products in Moroccan conditions and the productivity of citriculture is tightly related to water management. To reduce this dependency under climatic change, a pilot study, over three years, has been launched to assess the effect of water stress on the production of clementine (Citrus clementina 'Berkane Clementine'). This study was carried out on the clementine, variety "Fina Berkane" at the Triffa plain, Northeastern Morocco. This variety was grafted on Volkameria rootstock with a density of 3m x 6m. Experimental variety was planted during October 2012, in loam-clay soil equipped with a drip irrigation system. Four doses of water irrigation (60%, 80%, 100%, and the conventional irrigation dose⩾120%) were tested based on the real water demand of the studied plant. Throughout the three-year monitoring, the effect of used water amount on the various parameters including yield, fruit size, and fruit quality have been studied. Results of the study revealed that the treatment 100% ETc provided a high number of fruits, yield, and a good quality ratio. It was also well reported that adopting a dose of 80% ETc could save a significant amount of irrigation water (more than 40% ETc) compared to the conventional irrigation dose (⩾120% ETc) without significantly affecting either the yield or the desired caliber profile (marketable standard).