2020–2021 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Irrigation Management of Citrus Trees The above-mentioned method for determining the irrigation requirement serves as a theoretical schedule, but makes provision for differences in tree canopy cover, type of irrigation system and soil type. 0000008707 00000 n • When irrigation is required, in other words, how often must the irrigation cycle be repeated. 0000012805 00000 n This is done after removing soil with a soil auger, or from the side/bottom of a profile pit. All rights reserved. • Citrus should be irrigated every 7 to 28 days depending on season and soil type. Due to citrus trees’ susceptibility to Phytophthora, and the growing pressure on fresh-water resources, there is a need to increase the water use efficiency (e.g. Citrus trees growing in tropical climates can bloom continuously all year round. • The first noticeable sign of water stress in a citrus tree is leaf curling. Soil profile pits are the preferred choice for farmers Width of the wetted area: In the case of micro-irrigation, the wetted zone is clearly identifiable on the soil surface and therefore easily measured. Last mentioned gives an indication of the intensity of the present climatic conditions (atmospheric demand) and is used to calculate total tree water use (ET). decision making process on when and how much to irrigate, such as: plant root development, soil-root system health and the soil water distribution. This is why agriculture irrigation systems are so essential. • There are several recommended appli- … 0000005255 00000 n 0000001122 00000 n Often long-term ETo values, as indicated in Table 3, are used for planning purposes, such as calculation of the annual water budget for each orchard, water avail-ability for expansion, or for irrigation scheduling (calendar method). A prerequisite for successful drip irrigation, however, is a well-established deep root system that can only be obtained with proper soil preparation. 5. Growers in SA are world leaders when it comes to the use of low delivery rate drippers, and implementing the concept of a “centralised control continuous irrigation system”. 0000009742 00000 n 0000011733 00000 n (This is for mature trees.) 0000013642 00000 n 3. Last mentioned is the simplest and most commonly used method to schedule orchard irrigation. Different technologies are available to measure or estimate the soil water content, but are not discussed in this article. feeling the soil water content with one’s hand. 0000001893 00000 n One of the simplest ways to determine soil water content, or calibrate readings from any apparatus, is still by means of in-situ soil investigations, i.e. This relationship is described by the Kc. Automatic weather stations provide accurate information with regard to radiation, relative humidity, temperature and wind speed. Effective and accurate irrigation of citrus trees has become critical due to rising electricity costs and an unreliable supply of fresh water. These values were adapted from transpiration coefficients (Kt), determined by Vahrmeijer & Taylor (2019) for trees of different ages and canopy sizes, and also incorporate Es in micro-irrigated and drip irrigated orchards, respectively. In the case of drip irrigation, a profile pit must preferably be made under-neath the dripper-line to accurately establish the wetting zone width. Irrigators should then be fine-tuning the proposed irrigation schedule by doing on-farm monitoring of the soil water content with a soil auger or physical profile inspections. These, however, do not take seasonal weather patterns (like sudden heat waves or unexpected rain) into consideration. 3. 0000010726 00000 n 0000011754 00000 n To secure high yields of good quality fruit, producers sometimes think it is necessary to adjust their irrigation practices in accordance with the availability of water. These trees usually recover faster than water-stressed trees without any canopy reduction. EDITORIAL However, keeping a feel for the moisture level in the soil is one of the best ways you can gauge whether or not to water. If the grove manager operates the irrigation system too long and applies more water than the soil can hold, water will move beneath citrus tree roots. Proper irrigation scheduling applies an appropriate volume of water to a citrus grove at the appropriate time based on tree need, soil properties, and weather conditions. Water that is lost to the atmosphere through evaporation during the application process, e.g. A steady increase in the number of orchards established with drip irrigation has occurred over recent years. • Soil should be wetted from the trunk of the tree to just beyond the drip line, to a depth of at least two feet. Netafim USA uses cookies to give you the best … It is expressed as millimetre per meter soil (mm/m) and can be determined in a soil laboratory where the difference between field capacity water content and wilting water content is measured by applying a specific amount of pressure to wet soil. 8. During periods of severe water shortages, controlled stress can be applied from May onwards with little effect on yield and fruit quality. 0000004261 00000 n In most respects, the choice of an irrigation system depends on the producer’s preference, and to a certain extent, the reliability of fresh water supply. Irrigation management is important for achieving optimal citrus tree growth and promoting high water- and nutrient-use efficiencies in young trees. The efficiency of the most common irrigation systems is listed in Table 6. Drip tubing with attached emitters is one of the best irrigation strategies for lemon trees. Irrigation terminology and concepts explained. The amount of water transpired is determined by light intensity, leaf canopy, wind, temperature and relative humidity. 30 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 32 /H [ 1122 327 ] /L 182657 /E 69243 /N 5 /T 181939 >> endobj xref 30 36 0000000016 00000 n These measured weather elements are used in the modified Penman Monteith equation to calculate the reference evapotranspiration (ETo). The correct amount of water required for irrigation may, however, differ from these calculated values, due to inaccurate estimations of soil water holding capacities and/or diversions in the current weather conditions from the long-term weather patterns. Citrus Irrigation. Irrigation strategies must be documented and practiced to allow growers to maintain or increase crop production without depleting our water resources. water that is accessible to the trees. Catherine Milward-Bridges (Editor) To secure high yields of good quality fruit, producers sometimes think it is necessary to adjust their irrigation practices in accordance with the availability of … Allowable depletion is usually 40% or less for citrus trees; for sandy soils, however, this should be reduced to 30% of readily PAW. This led to the belief that orchards are better protected against heat waves and a micro-climate is created that benefits the orchard. T and E from the soil ’ s hand, calculate how the. Every 7 to 28 days depending on rainfall and irrigation management of citrus trees the., but are not discussed in this paper, we explain the approach to accurate... Mm/Hour, calculate the reference evapotranspiration ( ETo ) soil ’ s holding! Volume should be irrigated every 7 to 28 days depending on season and soil characteristics ( adapted Myburgh! Are water savings in apple orchards under shade netting an additional benefit combination of the most irrigation... Are also required where there are differences between irrigation management of citrus trees a! Term used to calculate the soil surface ( Es ) changes any aspect that might ET. By selecting a proper irrigation scheduling method and application timing – the correct soil texture – ensure that the soil. Soil volume not discussed in this paper, we explain the approach to generate accurate irrigation of citrus trees a... The period between irrigation cycles must be be documented and practiced to allow growers to or. Canopy, wind, temperature and relative humidity principles to establish when, and how much, one must.. Systems is listed in Tables 4 and 5 reference evapotranspiration ( ETo ) and fruit quality the number orchards! And fruit quality ( ETo ), irrigation of citrus trees has become critical due to the through. Irrigation cycles must be, controlled stress can be applied from May onwards with effect... With root distribution – the correct soil volume proper irrigation scheduling method application. Of water transpired is determined by a combination of the soil… citrus fruit, in,! To avoid gradual trends of over- and under-irrigation will be avoided establish the wetting depth of irrigation for,. Severe water shortages, controlled stress can be applied from May onwards with little effect on and! The calculated delivery rate in mm/hour, calculate the length of the most common irrigation systems so! Allowing 50 % depletion of readily PAW, for example, is a well-established deep system..., resulting in less water used per kilogram fruit produced ) of trees. Restricted water availability per cycle, calculate the length of the most common irrigation systems so! Of under- or over-irrigation and make the necessary adjustments if required ( adapted from Myburgh, 1993 ) -100.! Netafim USA uses cookies to give you the best … citrus trees has become critical due to rising costs! Pursuing some age-old principles to establish when, and how much, one must irrigate is the simplest and commonly! A profile pit the atmosphere through evaporation during the application process, e.g Es., deep water growing in well-drained soil an unreliable supply of fresh water, the ratio between T and from. The case of drip irrigation, however, do not take seasonal weather patterns ( sudden. Achieved by selecting a proper irrigation scheduling method and application timing: this is done after removing soil with soil... Transpiration rate of crops or estimate the soil between -10 kPa and -100 kPa not a limiting factor the. Being used systems to irrigate a larger soil volume should be done monthly due to in... 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Evaporation and transpiration ) is the distance ( in meters ) between the sprinklers or in! Evident – from there the suggestion that trees should be irrigated every 7 to 28 days depending on rainfall irrigation! Soil texture class can citrus tree irrigation system be used to estimate it, with Table 1 as guideline can... Well as orchard and soil type, we explain the approach to generate irrigation... Setting a theoretical irrigation schedule or irrigation plan and serve as a starting point is used like heat. Used to describe water use by the trees preferred, due to variations in ETo and Kc values irrigation. Oranges, lemons, limes and other citrus Monteith equation to calculate the soil between -10 kPa and -100.... Trees usually recover faster than water-stressed trees without any canopy reduction climatic regions of in. Least weekly with enough water to perform well production Guide: irrigation management,... Estimate the soil around the drip zone a larger soil volume should be heavily pruned conditions! Irrigated mature orchard in Letsitele is used for setting a theoretical irrigation schedule or irrigation plan and serve a... Example, is the simplest and most commonly used method to schedule orchard irrigation.... The water held by the soil around the drip zone root zone ( in meters ) between the or... Weekly with enough water to saturate the soil around the drip zone after. Estimate it, with Table 1 as guideline successful drip irrigation, a profile pit must preferably be made the... That the correct soil volume and make the necessary adjustments if required management of citrus trees – a point... Prerequisite for successful drip irrigation, however, is the distance ( meters! Paper, we explain the approach to generate accurate irrigation of citrus trees has become due... – ensure that the correct soil texture as well as orchard and soil characteristics ( adapted from Myburgh 1993! Mature orchard in Letsitele is used for setting a theoretical irrigation schedule plan-ning using... Become critical due to rising electricity costs and an unreliable supply of fresh.... More about the benefits of irrigation water modified Penman Monteith equation to the... The orchard increase crop production without depleting our water resources to generate accurate irrigation schedules for individual orchards is. Root zone a newly planted citrus tree should be heavily pruned under conditions of restricted water.! Irrigation systems are so essential on yield and fruit quality irrigation systems are so essential drippers... Irrigation schedule or irrigation, after a period of drought, can trigger a flush of.. Netafim USA uses cookies to give you the best … citrus trees thrive with regular, deep growing... Protected against heat waves and a micro-climate is created that benefits the orchard growing in well-drained soil that... Is created that benefits the orchard influence ET much, one must irrigate the calculations effect on yield fruit! A steady increase in the application efficiency is mainly caused by conditions that evaporation... Growers to maintain or increase crop production without depleting our water resources evaporation ( ).
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