- Author: Brooke Jacobs
A team of UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisors recently developed a new, free guide to using a pressure chamber for irrigation management in walnut, almond and prune. The new guide, “Using the Pressure Chamber for Irrigation Management in Walnut, Almond, and Prune”, includes clear and concise descriptions of every aspect of pressure chamber operation and interpretation including:
- Explanation of tree water use physiology and how a pressure chamber works
- Descriptions of specific features of different pressure chambers commonly used by growers
- Instructions on how to take measurements in young and mature orchards
- Target stem water potential (SWP) values with explanations and data from UC research programs
- An explanation of the SWP “baseline” and a guide to using baseline values and SWP measurements to schedule irrigation
- Effects of over- and under- irrigation on yield, quality, and disease susceptibility
High quality figures and images accompany each set of instructions on how to use a pressure chamber, interpret your results, and schedule irrigation to optimize yield. This invaluable guide is available for download in pdf format FREE from UC Agriculture and Natural Resources website. To get your free copy click HERE.
Authors:
Allan Fulton, UC Cooperative Extension Irrigation and Water Resources Advisor, Tehama County
Joe Grant, UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor, San Joaquin County
Richard Buchner, UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor, Tehama County
Joe Connell, UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor, Butte County