Irrigation Scheduling in Sweet cherry

Irrigation is necessary for enhancing the flowering and fruiting characteristics of Sweet cherry and for long term productivity. Also High density planting systems is fast emerging as a more profitable orchard enterprise as compared to standard orchards. Temperate fruits including sweet cherries are prominent examples wherein high density plantations have proved to be highly successful in advanced countries. However, to accomplish this, several pre-requisites like flat lands, dwarfing rootstocks, compact growth habit of the scion cultivars and above all the availability of optimum soil moisture (assured irrigation) are required to be met essentially. In the changing climate scenario, when rains are scanty and water availability is declining, it becomes imperative to standardize quantum and schedule of irrigation in fruit crops for its judicious use.