A field experiment was conducted during 2006-08 to assess the response of deficit irrigation (DI) in 16 year old drip-irrigated Nagpur mandarin ( Citrus reticulata) trees budded on Rough lemon ( Citrus jambhiri L.) root stock at Nagpur, Maharashtra. The DI regimes imposed were at 30, 50, and 70% of Full irrigation (FI) and compared with FI (control). The annual increase in vegetative growth parameters (tree height and canopy volume) of trees under FI was found to be superior over DI treatments. The soil moisture status measured at 30 cm, 45 cm and 60 cm depths showed that the mean monthly soil moisture content was significantly affected at 30 cm depth, with highest magnitude (27.6-30.7%, v/v) under FI. Leaf nutrients (N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) analysis indicates that FI registered the maximum leaf N, K, and Fe, followed by 70% FI. The highest fruit yield (14.10 t ha -1) recorded under FI was at par with DI at 70% FI (13.35 t ha -1). More number and smaller size of fruits were recorded in FI as compared to DI at 70% FI. However, DI at 70% FI produced 36% higher water productivity with superior quality fruits (more fruit weight, higher TSS and lower acidity) over FI.
