Stress-adapted landscapes save water, escape injury in drought

Results of investigations at UC experiment stations reveal that irrigation equal to 14% or less of reference evapotranspiration (ET_O) can be applied to established shrubs and ground covers with no apparent drought-related injury. Adaptation to stress by reduced irrigation during the 2 years preceding full reduction of irrigation eliminated most injury symptoms (such as wilting and leaf necrosis). Application of these findings to established landscapes should significantly reduce water use and the cost of removing excess vegetation.