Work

Regulated deficit irrigation reduces water use of almonds without affecting yield

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: A plant-based regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) experiment in the northern Sacramento Valley determined that crop consumptive water use and irrigation could be reduced without significant detrimental effects on almond production. Tree stress was measured by recording midday stem water potential, a direct measure of tree water stress. With a water stress level of -14 to -18 bars during the hull-split period, average annual water savings were about 5 inches. Over 5 years, no significant yield reductions were observed, although average kernel weight was slightly lower. The results suggest that water savings can be achieved without affecting yield, even in soils with low water-holding capacity.

Source: California Agriculture

DOI: 10.3733/ca.v065n02p90

Authors: William L. Stewart, Allan E. Fulton, William H. Krueger, Bruce D. Lampinen, Ken A. Shackel

Language: English

Topic: Irrigation Practices and Water Management

Subfield: Soil Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Department of Water Resources, University of California, Davis, Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis

OpenAlex ID: W1972709552

FWCI: 4.499

Cites: 13

Cited by: 72

Related to: 10