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Soils Are Variable Identifying the soil type is an early step in establishing an orchard. Recognizing soil variability will help to identify conditions that affect tree vigor. Stratified soils in root zone may cause poor drainage, and subsequent water logging reduces aeration.
Effective irrigation depends on sufficient water infiltration into the root zone to sustain the tree until the next irrigation. Regardless of the water applied, poor water infiltration into the root zone results in under-irrigation, which translates into poor growth and yield.
Microirrigation Microirrigation is an irrigation system that wets only a portion of the orchard root zone. It is recommended that these systems wet approximately 30-60% of the orchard root zone volume.Soil & Irrigation Systems > MicroirrigationSource: Larry Schwankl. 2008.
This is an overview of a lab report for water or soil-water samples. To prepare a soil-water sample for analysis, the lab technicians dry and ground the soil sample, then add distilled water. The water is then extracted for analysis.
Water and soil testing provides information applicable to a range of management decisions. However, a test is only reliable if the sample is taken correctly and is properly handled after collection, and submitted with the necessary information. Soil & Water Reference Sanden, Blake, Allan E.
Leaching is the transport of salts out of the root zone using irrigation water. The proportion of the irrigation water used specifically for this purpose is the leaching fraction (LF).
Salinity Evaluation Soils and irrigation water contain dissolved salts, which affect water penetration and uptake, serve as plant nutrients, and may be phytotoxic in high concentrations.
