Effect of different water management systems on red raspberry yields (Rubus idaeus L.) in the South of Chile

Abstract

In the last 15 years, red raspberry orchards are becoming more important as an agroindustrial activity in the south of Chile. Due to edaphic and climatic conditions, fruit yield levels are directly related to natural water supply. Under the given climatic conditions of the present study, the use of localized application of hidrogel close to roots has proved that fruit yield can be increased up to 37,2 % .Three irrigations with sprinkler, applied at important plant development stages, increased fruit yield 64,5% in relation to the natural condition, being statistically no different to the effect of hydrogel treatment. Furthermore, thrickle-irrigation increased yield up to 106,1 % in relation to the natural condition, being statistically different to the last and to hydrogel treatment. With exception of stem number per plant, in all other measured vegetative and production parameters, their magnitudes were significantly and directly related to applied water amounts.