Evaluacion de cuatro sistemas de manejo hidrico sobre el crecimiento vegetativo y la produccion del frambueso (Rubus idaeus L.) en la provincia de Valdivia.

During the 1990/91 season, a trial was carried out on a sandy soil, in order to assess the effect of four water management systems (frequent irrigation, unfrequent irrigation, hydrogel, and no irrigation) on the vegetative growth and fruit production of raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) cv. Heritage in the second year. Also, for each treatment, water-uptake measurements were performed. The following parameters were evaluated regarding vegetative growth: height, number and dry matter of shoots, and number of knots per shoot. Production was analyzed through fruit yield, and also by measurements of the number, weight and diameter of fruits. A complete-random design was used, composed of four single treatments and three observations each. The results were evaluated by means of analysis of variance and by Tukey's mean comparison test, when needed. There was a direct relationship between water uptake and level of water supplied. The amounts ranged between 706.8 mm and 393.2 mm for the frequently irrigated treatment and control, respectively. The highest daily water uptake, for the frequently irrigated treatment, was recorded in January, with 5.31 mm. When compared to control, all systems used (frequent irrigation and unfrequent irrigation) showed a positive effect on fruit production. In almost every parameter analyzed, the frequently irrigated treatment exhibits a significant (P<= 0.05) effect with respect to control and other treatments of this trial. Unfrequent irrigation was statistically similar (P>= 0.05) to hydrogel treatment in almost all parameters concerning both vegetative growth and production, but significantly (P>=0.05) greater than the non-irrigated treatment in relation to production, except for fruit weight. This difference being attributable to an opportune irrigation. Hydrogel treatment showed a statistically similar (P>=0.05) response than the non-irrigated treatment.