Water footprint for citrus production in Egypt: a case study of Navel orange

Purpose: Citrus is one of the most significant fruit crops in the world, and there are huge amounts of citrus in Egypt, especially orange. Shortage of water resources is the main challenge for citrus production, therefore, proper management of water resources for orange orchards is essential in Egypt. Research Method: The current study’s objective was to calculate the water footprint components of orange production in four governorates (Beheira, Gharbia, Menoufia, and Sharqiya) during ۲۰۲۰-۲۰۲۳. Findings: Data indicated that different irrigation rates affected tree growth, tree yield, total yield, yield efficiency, and fruit quality. Results showed that trees grown in the Salhyia area recorded the highest values of canopy ratio increment (۴۲.۲۱%), N leaf content (۲.۴۶%), yield efficiency (۵.۹۲ kg/m۳), tree yield (۱۳۲.۰۰ kg/tree), total yield (۵۲.۸۰ tons/ha), TSS/TA ratio value (۱۱.۷۵), and the lowest acidity value (۰.۹۹ %). The highest values of leaf K content (۱.۷۶%), and vitamin C (۴۲.۸۳) were recorded in Al Mahalla El Kubra region, while the highest P leaf content (۰.۳۱۴%) was observed in Ashmoun district. Data showed that water use efficiency was lower in surface irrigation with a value of ۳.۷۱ kg orange/m۳ water and higher in drip irrigation with a value of ۳.۸۱ kg orange/m۳ water. Research limitations: There was no limitation. Originality/Value: Regarding water footprint components, data revealed that the drip irrigation system had lower green, grey and total water footprint values than surface irrigation. In contrast, the blue water footprint was the height under the drip irrigation system rather than the surface irrigation system.

کلیدواژه ها:

citrus ، fruit quality ، Navel orange ، Yield ، Water use efficiency