Facebook
X (Twitter)
Reddit
Pinterest
Tumblr
Delicious
LinkedIn
StumbleUpon
Avocado and citrus orchards along the coast may use less water
Authors
Ben A. FaberMark E. Grismer
Richard L. Snyder
Authors Affiliations
B.A. Faber is Soil and Water Extension Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, Ventura County; M.E. Grismer is Professor and Agricultural Drainage Engineer; R.L. Snyder is Biometeorologist, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis.Publication Information
Hilgardia 54(3):25-29. DOI:10.3733/ca.v054n03p25. May 2000.
PDF of full article, Cite this article
Abstract
Most citrus and avocado water-use studies have been conducted in inland orchards; however, orchards located in coastal areas are subject to cooler temperatures and foggier atmospheric conditions. To develop coastal area crop coefficients (Kc values) for irrigation management, we measured orchard consumptive water use (ETc) from two different commercial orchards located near Ventura. In addition to coastal climate variability, the ETc measurements were complicated by the wide variability in field soil, slope and elevation. On average, we measured Kc values of 0.46 for young lemons, 0.52 for mature lemons and 0.64 for mature avocados. These values were slightly less than those published, perhaps as a result of greater fog conditions in the orchards as compared to those occurring at the nearest reference ET stations.
References
Angus DE, Watts PJ. Evapotranspiration — how good is the Bowen ratio method?. Agri Water Mgmt. 1984. 8:133-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-3774(84)90050-7
Grismer ME. Long-term evapotranspiration from a coastal avocado/citrus orchard. ASCE J Irrig & Drain Engr. 2000. 126(1):1-7. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9437(2000)126:1(1) PubMed PMID: 18335486
Hydrology Handbook. ASCE Manuals on Engineering Practice No. 28, 2nd Ed. 1996. New York: ASCE.
Lahav ER, Kalmar D. Water requirements of avocado in Israel. II. Influence on yield, fruit growth and oil content. Austral J Agri Res. 1977. 28:869-77. https://doi.org/10.1071/AR9770869
Lahav ER, Steinhardt G, Kalmar D. Water requirements and the effect of salinity in an avocado orchard on clay soil. Proceedings of 2nd World Avocado Congress, 1992. 30.
Marsh AW, Gustafson CD, Davis S, et al. Water use by drip and sprinkle irrigated avocados related to plant cover, evaporation and area temperature. Conference paper from 2nd International Drip Irrigation Conference 1974.
Olalla L, Salazar A, Mira A, et al. The response of avocado trees in the south of Spain to different irrigation regimes and wetted areas. Proceedings of 2nd World Avocado Congress 1992. 22.
Richards SJ, Moore PW, Bingharn FT, et al. Avocado irrigation and nitrogen fertilization plots at the Citrus Experiment Station. California Avocado Society Yearbook. 1958. 42:25-9.
Also in this issue:
An ecological comparison of spiders from urban and natural habitats in CaliforniaUC research can foster science-based land-use planning
Sharpshooter on the move
Oaks deaths become epidemic
Wine growers face new complexities
Mapping vineyard expansion provides information on agriculture and the environment
Modeling vineyard expansion, potential habitat fragmentation
How the GIS was used to map and quantify policy impacts
Publicly funded weather database benefits users statewide
Broccoli residues can control Verticillium wilt of cauliflower
Commercial handling influences quality and ripening of Bartlett pears
Monitoring soil moisture helps refine irrigation management
Soil type affects accuracy of dielectric moisture sensors
Effectiveness of tensiometers and electrical resistance sensors varies with soil conditions
Harvest mechanization helps agriculture remain competitive