The effect of irrigation and mulching applications on yield, quality and ecophysiological characteristics of Trakya İlkeren grape variety

In this study, as mulch materials, Pumice, Dry mulching, Straw and Black Plastic were used. Control parcels were not covered with any material. For irrigation applications, irrigation was started in the trial area when the mid-day leaf water potential (LWP) value was above 1.0 MPa. In order to determine the amount of irrigation, 50% and 100% of the Evaporation Pan value measured weekly from the was taken into consideration and irrigation was not performed in the controls. There were no significant differences between the irrigation and mulch applications in terms of the LWP values. The effect of applications on yield and cluster weight was found to be significant and higher values were found in non-irrigation and 100% water application. Among the mulch applications, the best results were obtained from straw mulch with 4947 g vine-1 and 412.3 g in yield and cluster weight, respectively. In terms of values measured during verasion (1-2 June), chlorophyll content of the leaves (SPAD readings) for non-irrigated application and infrared measurements for 100% water and non-irrigated applications were the highest. Soil moisture and temperature increased in 100% water application. The moisture of the soil increased in straw mulch and besides this dry mulching (vetch mulch) and black plastic mulch applications increased the soil temperature. In conclusion, despite some positive effect of irrigation and mulch application on ecophysiological properties, it was concluded that from early grape varieties such as Trakya Ilkeren, sufficient quantity and quality can be obtained with rainfed under the current rainfall regime conditions.