Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #156599
Title: WATER REQUIREMENTS AND YIELD OF PEACH TREES IRRIGATED BY MICRO-JET AND SUBSURFACE DRIP

Author
item Bryla, David

Submitted to: International Symposium on Irrigation on Horticultural Crops
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/16/2003
Publication Date: 9/2/2003
Citation: WATER REQUIREMENTS AND YIELD OF PEACH TREES IRRIGATED BY MICRO-JET AND SUBSURFACE DRIP. Bryla, D.R.

Interpretive Summary: The seasonal water requirements and yield of 5-year-old peach trees irrigated by micro-jet sprinkler and subsurface drip systems were compared in central California. Early in the season, trees irrigated by micro-jets required nearly twice as much water to maintain the same water status as trees irrigated by subsurface drip. However, as the leaves developed on the trees, relatively less and less water was required by micro-jet. By the time the canopy was fully developed, and the soil surface beneath the trees was nearly 100% shaded at midday, trees irrigated by micro-jet and subsurface drip required the same amount of water to maintain equal water status. Summer pruning reduced the water requirements in both treatments, but once again increased the relative amount of water required by micro-jets. By the end of the season, trees irrigated by subsurface drip used 26% less water than trees irrigated by micro-jet. Subsurface drip irrigation also increased fruit size by 8% and marketable yield by 29% over micro-jet irrigation.

Technical Abstract: The seasonal water requirements and yield of 5-year-old 'Crimson Lady' peach trees (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) irrigated by micro-jet sprinklers and subsurface drip systems were compared in central California. Early in the season, trees irrigated by micro-jets required nearly twice as much water to maintain the same water status, measured as midday stem water potential, as trees irrigated by subsurface drip. However, as the canopy developed, relatively less and less water was required by micro-jet. By the time the canopy was fully developed, and the soil surface beneath the trees was nearly 100% shaded at midday, trees irrigated by micro-jet and subsurface drip required the same amount of water to maintain equal water status. Summer pruning reduced the water requirements in both treatments, but once again increased the relative amount of water required by micro-jet. By the end of the season, trees irrigated by subsurface drip used 26% less water than trees irrigated by micro-jet. Subsurface drip irrigation also increased fruit size by 8% and marketable yield by 29% over micro-jet irrigation, and consequently increased water use efficiency in peach by 74%.