H2Flo apple trial shows yield increase with 25% less water

25

Water conservation
Applying H2Flo to Cox la Vera apples reduces water requirements by 25%, while increasing yield by an average of 4%.

UK

Trail

25

Water conservation

Key Conclusions

Using H2Flo reduces required irrigation water by 25%, while also increasing average yield by 4%, and increasing fruit size. This can save apple growers an average of €1,100/ha/year.

Objective

To investigate the benefits of applying H2Flo on required irrigation volume and apple crop yield.

Trial Details

Trial station

UK

Product

H2Flo

Assessments

Total yield, water distribution

Treatments

Grower practice treatment: 100% irrigation regime + rainfall
The water was supplied via irrigation system without any water conservation agents.

H2Flo treatment: 75% irrigation regime + rainfall
H2Flo was applied 3 times during the crop cycle in both years:

1st application: 1.2 L/ha in May
2nd application: 0.6 L/ha in June
3rd application: 0.6 L/ha in August

Total: 2.4 L/ha/year

Treatments

Grower practice treatment: 100% irrigation regime + rainfall
The water was supplied via irrigation system without any water conservation agents.

H2Flo treatment: 75% irrigation regime + rainfall
H2Flo was applied 3 times during the crop cycle in both years:

1st application: 1.2 L/ha in May
2nd application: 0.6 L/ha in June
3rd application: 0.6 L/ha in August

Total: 2.4 L/ha/year

Results

  • By using H2Flo, water regime was reduced by 25% without any detrimental effect of yield, which actually increased by an average of 4%.
  • Despite 25% water reduction when using H2Flo, fruit size tends to increase, especially in classes greater than 75 mm.
  • H2Flo could save apple growers an average of €1100/ha/year.

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Trail

25

Water conservation