Deficit Irrigation Strategies

After conducting several experiments, we have developed deficit irrigation strategies that can save substantial amounts of water. However, we have concluded that each strategy invariably leads to an increased potential for problems such as reduced fruit size, greater pest problems, decreased tree health or an increase in the fruit quality problems shown at right (plums are less prone to these disorders). Thus, irrigating at 100% ET is desirable if water is available. For situations of limited water availability we have developed drought stategies which minimize these negative effects. Links to the reports on our various water stress experiments are listed below.

Fruit disorders caused by water stress - click on photo to enlarge

Deep suture in nectarine caused by water stress

Deep suture in peach fruit with remnant of double fruit that never developed

Double peach fruit where one carpel stops developing but still interferes with suture closing on the other carpel, thus leading to a deep suture

Microscopic view of double carpels within a flower bud in early September that will lead to a double fruit the next year

Postharvest stress of early maturing varieties:
One year study of Regina peach - J Amer Soc Hort Sci 1988
Three year study of Regina peach - J. of American Society of Hort Science 1992
Three year study of Red Beaut plum - (Plum Water Stress)
Three year study of Spring Lady peach - Hort Science 2000
Two year study of Crimson Lady peach - (Water Stress - Fruit Disorders)

Regulated deficit irrigation of late maturing varieties:
Physiological response of Cal Red peach - J. of American Society of Hort Science 1993
Postharvest response of O'Henry peach - Hort Science 1994
Five Years of O'Henry Irrigation - 1994 CTFA Report