Shading Nets Usefulness for Water Saving on Citrus Orchards under Different Irrigation Doses

This work treats a comparative study of deficit irrigation and shading nets impacts on the citrus growth and fruit dropping, in order to save water without affecting physiological status and trees performances. The first dose (100%) is calculated using reference evapotranspiration (ETo - calculated using weather station), and crop coefficient (Kc) which varies according to physiological stage; the second is a double-dose (200%) and the third is a half-dose (50%); This study has shown that the application of half-dose using shade screens meets trees needs without causing adverse effect on crop performances; the soil water content and root hairs are well distributed laterally, the bulb's depth and 90% of roots are located at 0-50 cm horizons. Shading net enhanced fruit growth and has mitigated fruit dropping phenomena by H≈50% for the treatment F50%.