A New Method for Increasing Water and Nutrient Efficiency in Peach Fruit (Prunus persica var Red Top) in Low Yield Lands

Water is one of the most significant factors limiting the production of horticultural crops. To confront drought stress, an experiment was designed as a factorial in the form of a randomized complete block. Treatments included placing the pumice bag next to the tree in two levels — [no bag (B0), one bag (B1)], different levels of irrigation — [50% (I50), 75% (I75), and 100% (I100)] — and root inoculation with fungi — [mycorrhiza (Fm), Trichoderma (Ft), and no fungus (F0)]. The highest LA and SLA were measured in the B0I100Ft treatment. The maximum chlorophyll index was measured in the B1I75Ft treatment. The highest yield was measured in the B1I100Fm treatment, which increased yield by 2.1 times compared to the control. Treatments that placed the bag next to the tree and had a sufficient irrigation level yielded more. The highest concentrations of N, Zn, and K were measured in treatments with lower irrigation levels. Only irrigation and bag placement had a significant effect on P. The highest phenols, anthocyanins, antioxidants, and vitamin C were measured in the B0I50F0, B0I75F0, B0I50Ft, and B0I75Fm treatments, respectively. According to the results, the B1I75Fm treatment saved 25% in water consumption, while maintaining good fruit productivity and quality.