Irrigation Scheduling

Having peach trees in the lysimeter for nearly 20 years has allowed us to determine precise crop coefficients for orchards under different conditions. The graph on the right and chart below show average crop coefficients for mature peach trees. This information can be fed into irrigation scheduling programs (for example this program developed for avocados could be used) to estimate current irrigation needs. The Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT) at CSU Fresno has developed a seasonal irrigation scheduler that uses somewhat different crop coefficients, but can still provide reasonable estimates. We have also developed information for young trees (Irrigating Young Trees). We hope to have interactive programs posted on this website in the near future.

Chart of crop coefficients (Kc) for mature peach trees derived from the Kearney weighing lysimeter

Crop coefficients (Kc) for mature peach trees derived from O'Henry and Crimson Lady trees planted in the Kearney weighing lysimeter.

Shadow cast by the two peach trees in weighing lysimeter