Evaluation of water storage and conservation methods on Fig orchards in rain-fed condition in Estahbanat region

Deficiency of soil moisture is the most limitted factor for production of rainfed Fig orchard. Therefore the effect of different methods of water storage and its conservation on Fig orchards in rain-fed condition in Estahbanat region was evaluated. In this study an exprement with 6 treatments including; 1- using soil packer in fall; 2- using soil packer in fall and using herbicide in spring; 3- using soil packer in fall and plowing with chisel plow in spring; 4- using herbicide in spring; 5- plowing with chisel plow in spring, and 6- control (without any treatment) on soil moisture improvement and Fig yield were considered. This test was performed in the form of Randomize Complete Block Design with three replications in Estahbanat region that is the most important Fig fruits production in Iran. In order to increase the accuracy of test, two trees were considered in each plot. Moisture content of soil profile was measured using Notronmeter from soil surface to depth of 160 cm every month, and distance between two sample points was 20 cm in soil profile. Fig yield was also measured considering fruit quality and quantity. Results of this study showed that: Soil had the maximum moisture content 22.75 percent in Esfand. Soil moisture deduction was started in Farvardin so that soil had the leas moisture content in Mordad, Shahrivar, Mehr, and Azar. The minimum soil moisture content was 7.34 percent observed at the soil surface, and the maximum moisture content was 19.42 percent found at soil depth range of 60-80 cm. In the range of 80-140 cm soil depth, soil had suitable moisture and Fig root distribution was also maximizing at this range of soil depth. Crop yield from the view point of fruit numbers and weights was the maximum in the first year. Fruit weight was 954.1 gr produced on treatment 1 was the maximum and least yield was 729.5 gr obtained from control treatment, and treatment 3 (using soil packer in fall and plowing with chisel plow in spring). During the different fruit harvesting period (Mordad, early Shahrivar, late Shahrivar, and Mehr), the maximum yield was obtaind in Mehr and, the minimum yield was obtained in Mordad. Maximum yield of best quality Fig fruit was obtained from treatments (plowing with chisel plow in spring), and the minimum yield of best quality frit was obtained from control treatment. Out of order fruits had also minimum amount of the treatment 5 (plowing with chisel plow in spring). From the view point of fruit color the maximum number of fruits with light yellow color (high quality) was obtained from treatment 1 (using soil packer in fall), and the minimum number was obtained from treatments 3 and 5, control treatment. Dark brown fruits (low quality) had the maximum number in control treatment, therefore providing enough moisture content for Fig trees could significantly affect fruit quality. There was no considerable difference between the treatments for amount of Nitrogen, Potassium, and Cupper of Fig leaves. In overall, the amount of Phosphorus, Iron, Manganese, and Boron were maximum in treatment 1 (using soil packer in fall), and mostly was minimum amount in control treatment.