Evaluacion de sistemas de manejo hidrico sobre produccion y crecimiento vegetativo del frambueso (Rubus ideaus L.) en la zona de Frutillar.

During the 89/90 season, a trial was carried out on a Nadi soil at an orchard located 3 km southeast of Frutillar Bajo in order to assess the effect of three water management systems (irrigation, hydrogel and mulch) on yield, weight and fruit size. Also, the vegetative growth was evaluated by considering number, length, diameter and dry matter of shoots. In addition, evapotranspiration of the culture during this season was determined. In this trial, a complete random design was used, composed of 4 treatments and 18 experimental units each, where observations varied in number according to objectives. The results were evaluated by means of variance analysis and by Tukey's mean comparison test, when needed. There was a direct relation between evapotranspiration and level of water supplied. The amounts ranged between 790 mm and 351 mm for the irrigation and control treatments, respectively. The highest daily water uptake, for the irrigation treatment was recorded in December and January with 5.87 mm. When compared to control, the 3 systems used (irrigation, hydrogel and mulch) had a positive effect on fruit production with yield of 3950, 3696 and 3176 kg/ha, respectively, compared to control with 2236 kg/ha. Considering all parameters, irrigation treatment showed a positive and significant effect in relation to control. Hydrogel treatment was statistically similar to irrigation concerning all fruit production parameters evaluated with the greatest values, but difference in relation to vegetative growth was minor, except for the number of knows per shoot, which was equal. This difference in growth was attributable to mechanical factors. The sawdust cover (mulch), was major compared to control in the totality of production parameters, but in the case of vegetative growth all parameters analized were equal, which indicates that there didn't exist an influence on the shoots by this system.