Optimizing durian production: impacts of drip irrigation and organic mulching on yield, fruit quality and soil properties

Durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) is one of the most economically important fruit crops in Vietnam Mekong Delta. However, durian regions were affected by water scarcity because of periodic salinity intrusion events. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a study to optimize water use efficiency in durian cultivation without compromising yield and quality. This study sought to identify the impacts of using drip irrigation and organic mulching on the productivity, fruit quality, and soil properties of a common durian variety in Mekong Delta for two seasons in 2022 and 2023. The results showed that drip irrigation treatments, with or without mulching, used significantly less water than the farmer practice control (2.6 to 3.9 times lower), without reducing yield. Fruit quality was significantly higher in S (drip irrigation with 10 kg/tree of rice straw mulching) and D (drip irrigation without mulching) than in the control. Mulching treatments, including M (drip irrigation with 10 kg/tree of manure), B (drip irrigation with 10 kg/tree of biochar), M + B (drip irrigation with 5 kg/tree each of manure and biochar), and S + M + B (drip irrigation with 5 kg/tree of straw, manure, and biochar) significantly enhanced soil properties. Therefore, we recommend that drip irrigation with organic mulching materials should be applied to improve water use efficiency, durian fruit quality, and soil health.