DRIP IRRIGATION AS A STRATEGY FOR ENHANCING POMEGRANATE PRODUCTIVITY AND WATER-USE EFFICIENCY UNDER SEMI-ARID CONDITIONS OF SOUTHERN UZBEKISTAN

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of drip and furrow irrigation on the
productivity and water-use efficiency of three pomegranate cultivars grown under
moderately saline soil conditions in the Sherabad District of southern Uzbekistan
during 2022-2024. The cultivars Kzyl Uluchshenniy, Kazake-Anar, and Desertniy
were assessed in terms of fruit number, average fruit weight, yield, and seasonal
water consumption. Drip irrigation increased yield by 43.9-67.4% compared with
furrow irrigation while reducing irrigation water use by approximately 55.4%. The
results demonstrate the potential of drip irrigation to improve water productivity
and support more sustainable pomegranate production in water-limited
environments.