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A crucial aspect to microsprinkler and dropper performance is maintaining the size of the orifice as it was delivered from the factory. Even small changes in the size of the orifice can have significant effects on the volume of water distributed in the orchard.
The use and misuse of the term ET (evapotranspiration) has become pronounced with the current water shortage and a brief review of the term seems timely. In short, ET is the amount of energy arriving at a site that drives water loss.
Determining the water requirements of plants falls into three broad categories of technology - plant-based, soil-based and weather-based. Many of these technologies are proven and have been in use for years. Others are more experimental and have not been tested fully.
There are many ways of measuring soil moisture status - neutron probe, tensiometers, electrical resistance blocks, etc. - all of which have some limitations.
Despite the rains we have had this year, irrigated agriculture must always contend with salts. All waters, even rain water, have some salts dissolved in them, so all could be called saline. The term saline is restricted to waters with concentrations that could cause harm to plants or people.
"We don't need to irrigate, it's winter." This is a commonly held idea, and many years it is true. Adequately timed rains will often meet the needs of avocado trees during the winter period, and in times like last year, even satisfy much of the spring requirement.
B.A. Faber & A.J. Downer J.A. Menge University of California Plant Pathology Cooperative Extension University of California 669 County Square Dr. Riverside, CA 92527 Ventura, CA 93003 USA USA Keywords: Citrus sinensis, C.
