IRRIGATION MANAGEMENTCALIFORNIA ALMOND SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM

Acknowledgments
Editors
Daniel Sonke, D.P.M., Senior Scientist, SureHarvest
Andrew Arnold, Senior Consultant, SureHarvest
Gabriele Ludwig, Ph.D., Associate Director, Environmental Affairs, Almond Board of
California
Jeff Dlott, Ph.D., President, SureHarvest
Contributing Reviewers
Matt Angell, Strategic Farming, Inc.
Walt Bentley, IPM Entomologist, UC Kearney Research and Extension Center
Joe Browde, Ph.D., Professional Services Manager, SureHarvest
Patrick Brown, Ph.D., Pomologist-AES Professor of Plant Nutrition, UC Davis
Joe Connell, Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, Butte County
Robert Curtis, Associate Director, Agricultural Affairs, Almond Board of California
David Doll, Pomology Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, Merced County
Roger Duncan, Pomology Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, Stanislaus County
Dave Goorahoo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor - Vegetable Crops, CSU Fresno
Stan Grant, Principal, Progressive Viticulture
Christopher Hartley, Ph.D., District Conservationist, NRCS - Stanislaus County
Tim Hartz, Ph.D., Vegetable Crops Specialist, UC Davis
Brian Hockett, District Manager, Northwest Kern Resource Conservation District
Will Horwath, Ph.D., Professor of Soil Biogeochemistry, UC Davis
Parry Klassen, Executive Director, Coalition for Urban/Rural Environmental Stewardship
Bruce Lampinen, Ph.D., Integrated Orchard Management/Walnut and Almond Specialist,
UC Davis
Rob Mikkelsen, Ph.D., Western Region Director, International Plant Nutrition InstituteRon Nydam, Waterford Irrigation Supply and President, California Agricultural Irrigation
Association
Terry Prichard, Irrigation Water Management Specialist, UC Cooperative Extension
Blake Sanden, Irrigation/Soils Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, Kern County
Ken Shackel, Ph.D., Professor of Pomology, UC Davis
Jim Yager, Ph.D., Strategic Farming, Inc.

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Introduction – Sustainability and irrigation Management
The first almond orchards in California were primarily planted as done for
centuries in Europe—on hillsides without irrigation. Almonds originate indry areas of central and southwest Asia and are highly drought tolerant.
However, as the industry grew in the first half of the 20th century,a revolution in California Almond farming took place when growers
discovered that planting orchards in fertile, well-drained soils withirrigation and fertilization could double or triple yields. This innovationand the subsequent expansion of almond growing in the Central Valley
eventually established California as the leading source of almonds globally.
In the intervening years, a dramatic change has also taken place inirrigation technology. To early flood and furrow systems were added
various sprinkler types and then drip tape and micro-sprinkler systems.
Besides new systems for distributing the water in the orchard, newtechnologies have been developed to support decisions for optimizing
the amount and timing of water applications—soil moisture sensors,
tensiometers, evapotranspiration devices, and pressure chambers formeasuring plant water stress. Some of these devices are now connectedto the Internet and transmit data that can be checked via cell phone.
Additional technologies are being researched; some will likely becomecommercially viable in the future.
The introduction of advanced irrigation technologies over the past three
decades led to another significant increase in yields for California Almondorchards, and this contributed to another major expansion period for thealmond growing community. In addition to yield increases, the efficienttiming and delivery of water can enable more efficient application of crop
nutrients, reduce weed and disease pressures, and improve harvest timing.
Of course, these technologies can require significant money and time to
install and maintain, but they enable growers to maximize their return onwater applied.
Older technologies, such as flood or sprinkler systems, have some advantages for sustainability which should not be overlooked, however. For example, some older systems require less energy for pumping and therefore
decrease adverse air quality impacts. Moreover, farmers who want to use
vegetation or cover crops to build soil organic matter and/or keep dust
down may need to deliver water to the entire orchard floor. It should also
be pointed out that even older irrigation systems can be made more efficient by the use of best practices for scheduling and maintenance.
Over time, various factors have reduced access to and/or increased theprice of irrigation water in much of California. Whether you need to reduce water use or simply want to maximize yields, irrigation efficiency is
critical for maximizing your returns in farming California Almonds today.

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3Orchard Establishment
The orchard establishment interval is the best opportunity to address
many soil and water issues through strategic soil amendments, rootstock
selection, tree spacing, irrigation system design and other measures. It
is also the time to take stock of the investment required to maximize theorchard’s potential. Collecting information and thinking strategically prevent
mistakes which might reduce yields or result in costly annual inputs.

A map is worth a thousand words
Since the first aerial photos of fields became available, people have been
struck by how a simple photograph can reveal soil variations as variations
in crop growth. Of course, not everyone can jump in a plane and take aphoto of a field, but today satellite photos are downloadable for free fromthe Internet. Often, you can download several photos going back years oreven decades. When establishing a new orchard, photographic records
provide an opportunity to look at whatever was growing on the property
before and see if there are areas of poor growth which might reflect soil
variations or problems. This simple bit of information can help to target
sampling for soil compaction, soil type, nematodes, etc.
USDA soil maps are also freely available online and allow you to identify
potential soil differences (e.g., sand streaks) which may impact thewatering needs of trees in different parts of the orchard. These maps are
not always highly accurate, so they should be used as a starting point for
guiding soil testing.
Sensing technologies, such as soil electroconductivity (EC) mapping,provide additional information. EC mapping technology maps variationin the soil related to soil texture or salinity—either of which may require
attention prior to orchard development. Use the maps to guide sampling
and additional testing.
Few people have tried yield mapping in orchard crops, but yield maps
are becoming more common in field crops. If the previous crop on thisland was yield mapped, this information could be used to identify soil
variations as well.

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I didn’t try it

Used this practice1

Were you involved in this orchard’s establishment?
n Yes (continue with the following questions)n No (skip to question 16 on page 12)

2

Soil maps (e.g., NRCS soil series or web soil survey) were used to
identify potential variations in soil texture, salinity, water holding
capacity, or other factors.

n

n

n

3

Aerial or satellite photos (e.g., Google Earth) were used to identify
potential variations in soil texture, salinity, or other factors.

n

n

n

4

Yield maps from the previous crop (almonds or another crop) wereused to identify potential variations in soil texture, salinity, or otherfactors.

nnn

A GPS map of soil characteristics using sensing technology (e.g., EC,
Veris® or SIS) was made and used to identify potential variations in soil
texture, salinity, or other factors.

n

n

n

Backhoe pits were dug or deep auger/core samples were taken(guided by the above and other observed factors) in strategic places
to determine:

n

n

n

a. texture (percent sand, clay, silt) or saturation percentage

n

n

n

b. compaction layers or other soil stratification

n

n

n

c. salinity

n

n

n

d. pH

n

n

n

e. soil organic matter

n

n

n

Deep ripping, slip plowing, or tree hole backhoe pits were dug toaddress drainage and/or compaction issues (preferably after firsttesting for these problems).

n

n

n

n

8

If suggested by soil sampling, soils were amended to adjust pH,
sodicity, salinity, etc. during orchard development.

n

n

n

n

9

Soils were amended with organic matter during orchard development.

n

n

n

10

All water sources were sampled and lab-evaluated for water quality/
irrigation suitability.

n

n

n

11

Rootstocks were selected based on soil texture and drainage
conditions as well as potential soil pest or disease problems.

n

n

n

12

The irrigation system was designed to meet or exceed a specific target
distribution uniformity.

n

n

n

13

The irrigation system was designed for the site so that irrigation setscorrespond to soil texture zones and/or topography.

n

n

n

14

An economic analysis utilizing the type of information in this sectionand expected returns was done prior to moving forward with theorchard development/redevelopment.

n

n

n

For this orchard, the following practices and/or technologies for
improving water use efficiency were used during establishment:

5

6

7

15

Other: ____________________________________________________C A L I F O R N I A A L M O N D S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y P R O G R A M — I R R I G AT I O N M A N A G E M E N T

Not applicableNot familiar with thisThinking outside therectangle
Most property lines arerectangular, and mostirrigation sets probably are
as well. For orchards withuniform soil, a rectangulardesign may be best. However,soil conditions can varyacross a block significantly.
To ensure optimal yields,
associated irrigation
rates ideally vary by soil
condition. So, rather thansimply asking your irrigation
system designer for the least
expensive installation, analyze
options for creative ways
to improve your economic
returns through more
efficient water application—even if a more expensive
system is needed.
One guide to getting thebest irrigation system foryour money is the Irrigation
Consumer Bill of RightsTM
from the Cal Poly Irrigation
Training and Research Center.
A copy is provided in thismodule.

This practice may also have foodsafety implications. Consult ABC
GAP recommendations for more
information.

n

n

5

References and more information
Boswell, Michael J. 2000. Toro Ag Irrigation Micro-Irrigation Design Manual. Toro Ag
Irrigation, El Cajon, CA.
Hanson, Blaine, Larry Schwankl, and Alan Fulton. 1999. Scheduling Irrigations: Whenand How Much Water to Apply. University of California Irrigation Program, University ofCalifornia, Davis.
Irrigation Training and Research Center, California Polytechnic State University. 2001.
General Irrigation Consumer Bill of RightsTM. ITRC Publication 01-007.
Lund, Eric D., Colin D. Christy, and Paul E. Drummond. 2000. Using Yield and Soil
Electrical Conductivity (EC) Maps to Derive Crop Production Performance Information.
5th International Conference on Precision Agriculture 2000.
Micke, Warren C., ed. 1996. Almond Production Manual, Publication 3364. University ofCalifornia Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Oakland, CA.
Netafim USA. 2009. Drip Irrigation Operation and Maintenance. Netafim, Fresno, CA.
NRCS Web Soil Survey: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov
Sanden, Blake. 2006. Soil and Water Quality for Trees and Vines. Proceedings California
Plant and Soil Conference 2006.
University of California, Davis Agricultural & Resource Economics Cost Studies: http://
coststudies.ucdavis.edu/

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General Irrigation Consumer
Bill of Rights
Note: This supplements other
Irrigation Consumer BillsTM
written for specific irrigation
methods. Discuss these
items with your irrigation
dealer before purchasing
your irrigation system. The
discussion will help you
to make wiser selectionsof design options, and toappreciate the obligations ofboth yourself and the dealer
in creating your irrigation
system.

Designer Qualifications• What are the dealer credentials (formal training, references, designer
certification by The Irrigation Association, contractor’s license, and/or
professional agricultural engineer registration)?
Design Features (General)• What is the life expectancy of system components?
• What safety features have been included?
• What are the options for future upgrades?
• What is the recommended list of spare parts?
Specific Operating/Design Parameters• What will be the distribution uniformity on the whole field whenbrand new?
• Does the system provide climate control?
Water requirements• What are the peak daily needs (acre-inches) for a normal year?
• What is the system delivery capacity in 24 hours (acre-inches)?
• What is the anticipated amount of water to be used per year
(acre-feet)?
• If the field has plants with different spacing, ages, or varieties, what is
the recommended procedure to provide the appropriate amount ofwater per acre per week to each block?
• Energy consumption:- Is it possible to pump all water during off-peak hours?
- What are the pump and motor/engine efficiencies?
- Are you provided with a pump curve showing the GPM and pressure?
- What is the sensitivity of pump flow rates to well water changes?
- What is the energy cost per acre-foot?
• Filtration:- Is filtration necessary, and, if so, what type is provided?
• Chemical injection:- Are locally required backflow prevention and safety devices
provided?
- What is the capacity of the injector in gallons per hour?
- Can the equipment inject both fertilizers and other chemicals?
• Flow meter:- Does it measure both flow rate (GMP) and volume (acre-feet)applied?
- Does installation follow manufacturers’ recommendations with regard
to lengths of straight pipe, pipe diameter, and straightening vanes?

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• Pressure, air, and flushing:- Are there adequate air vents, vacuum relief valves, and flush-outs?
- What are the number, type, and size of pressure relief valves?
- Is the pressure rating of all system components sufficiently highfor the anticipated water temperature, surge pressures, and normalpressures?
Warranties• Who provides equipment installation, start-up, and adjustment?
• What are the warranties on individual component and system design
performance?
• Who is providing warranties and what do the warranties cover andexclude?
• Are the providers financially capable of standing behind theirwarranties?
• What is the availability of replacement parts?
• Will you be provided with a packet containing manufacturers’ literature,
warranties, and operation instructions for the system?
• Is the irrigation dealer a full-service dealer?
The General Irrigation Consumer Bill of RightsTM and Irrigation Consumer
Bill of RightsTM for Drip/Micro-irrigation were developed by the Irrigation
Training and Research Center (ITRC) and reproduced here with ITRC
permission.
ITRC
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly)San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
ph: 805.756.2434
fax: 805.756.2433

C A L I F O R N I A A L M O N D S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y P R O G R A M — I R R I G AT I O N M A N A G E M E N T

9Irrigation Consumer Bill of Rights for
Drop/Micro Irrigation
Note: This supplements theGeneral Irrigation Consumer
Bill of RightsTM. Discuss these
items with your irrigation
dealer before purchasing
your irrigation system. The
discussion will help you
to make wiser selectionsof design options, and toappreciate the obligations ofboth yourself and the dealer
in creating your irrigation
system.

Filtration• What is the equivalent mesh size?
• How frequently will filter flushing be necessary, and how much water
will be used per flush? How will the flush water be disposed of?
• Does this filter require pre-filtration?
• What is the procedure for flushing (manual, automatic, take-apart)?
• How is this filter protected from corrosion on both the inside andoutside?
• Does the pump provide enough water to flush the filter and operate theirrigation system simultaneously? Is a separate valve needed to sustainback flush pressure?
• What are the initial adjustments necessary for the filter, and who will
make them?
• Through what variation in flow rate can the filter be effective?
• Is a backup filter required? How will it be flushed, what are its meshrequirements, and where will it be located?
• If a back flush flow adjustment is necessary, is it possible to view andsample the back flush water in order to make proper filter adjustments?
• What is the safe operating pressure of the filter?
• How much pressure loss is there through the filter when clean, andwhen dirty?
Flow rates and pressures• What is the minimum pressure anticipated at any emitter?
• What is the average emitter flow rate and pressure?
• How are pressures regulated throughout the system?
• Do pressure regulators require any adjustments?
Chemical injection• What type of chemical injection is needed to minimize emitter
plugging?
• Has the water been tested for pH, iron, manganese, and sulfur bacteria
problems?
• What equipment components can be damaged by injected chemicals?
General reduction of plugging• Is insect damage to emitters a problem in the area? How will the design
alleviate that problem?
• Are adequate flush-outs provided throughout the whole system?
• If used, can in-field filters and hose screen washers be easily cleaned?

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General agronomic• What percentage of soil volume will be wet?
• Are any chemical additives needed to minimize water runoff from thesoil surface?
The General Irrigation Consumer Bill of RightsTM and Irrigation Consumer
Bill of RightsTM for Drip/Micro-irrigation were developed by the Irrigation
Training and Research Center (ITRC) and reproduced here with ITRC
permission.
ITRC
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly)San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
ph: 805.756.2434
fax: 805.756.2433

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11

Irrigation Infrastructure andMaintenanceIrrigation efficiency is related to many factors. People often single out thetype of irrigation system as the key factor. While important, any type of
irrigation system can become less or more efficient depending on how it isused and maintained.

16

What is the type of irrigation system for this orchard (not counting systems for frost
control)? It is recommended that you assess one irrigation set at a time. If you wish toassess an orchard with multiple types of irrigation systems, please select all appropriate
types.
n Dripn Micro-sprinkler
n Flood or furrow irrigationn Sprinklers

17

Is this system also intended for use for frost protection? n Yes n No
If yes, is the system capable of producing 30-45 gpm per acre? n Yes n No
n I don’t know

Measuring system performance
How do you know if your irrigation system is optimally distributing water?
Monitoring and recording the amount of water flowing through the system
alerts you if problems are developing and gives you a record for charting
performance day to day and year to year.
A distribution uniformity test assures that the system is not overwateringsome trees and under-watering others (likely reducing yields in either case).
Pumps lose efficiency over time as impellers wear and conditions (suchas water table level) change. The Center for Irrigation Technology at
CSU Fresno recommends pumps be tested every 1 to 3 years. Correcting
problems can not only improve delivery of irrigation water but also saveenergy costs. For this reason, utilities often provide free or reduced-cost
tests. More information is available at pumpefficiency.org.
Micro-irrigation has many advantages for ensuring the efficient use ofwater to meet yield targets. However, if filters malfunction, filters or
emitters can become clogged and reduce water output by more than 50%.
Pressure gauges can help detect clogging filters but should be checked
periodically for accuracy.
Even small amounts of water lost from a system can add up to significant
losses over time. If your water demands frequent filter flushing, a systemthat re-captures the flush water can be worthwhile. Likewise, frequently
checking for leaks can prevent costly losses of both water and yield (dueto thirsty trees).

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Not applicable

My current practice

I have tried it

I haven’t tried it

Not familiar with thisFor my orchard, I am using the following practices and/or
technologies for maximizing my irrigation system efficiency:

This section contains various
best practices associatedwith different types ofirrigation systems. Please firstanswer the questions that
apply to all systems and thenjust the questions that apply
to the system in the orchard
you are assessing.

ALL SYSTEMS
18

19

I monitor the average depth of water penetration during theirrigation season (e.g., using auger, probe, tensiometers, or othersoil moisture monitoring techniques).

n

n

n

n

A distribution uniformity test has been done on the irrigation
system at least once in the past year (or, if the orchard is flood or
furrow irrigated, a distribution uniformity test has been done in thepast 5 years).

n

n

n

n

PUMPS AND FILTERS: Most irrigation systems have pumps and filters. If you havea system that does not involve a pump (e.g., gravity fed) and/or filters, answer Not
applicable where appropriate to the following questions:
20 A pump efficiency test has been conducted by a qualified
technician at least once in the past 3 years.

n

n

n

n

n

Flow meters are installed on lines from pumps and are installedaccording to manufacturer instructions. (If no meters are installed,
answer Not applicable to the following flow meter questions.)

n

n

n

n

n

a. Flow meters are monitored for each irrigation set each time
it is run.

n

n

n

n

n

b. Flow meter readings are recorded for each irrigation set eachtime it is run.

n

n

n

n

n

c. All flow meters have been inspected and calibrated in thepast 2 years.

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

a. Pressure drop through filters is checked with every irrigation(manually or through electronic sensors), and filters are cleaned
when significant pressure differences are found.

n

n

n

n

n

b. Pressure gauges are checked for accuracy at least annually.

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

25 A backup screen is in place in case of filter failure (for sandfilters).

n

n

n

n

n

26 A pressure-sustaining device is in place to keep the systempressure up during back flushing.

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

21

22 Pressure gauges are installed for measuring pressure drops
through filters. (If no gauges are installed, answer Not applicableto the following pressure gauge questions.)

23 Pressure check points are installed on key lines from pumps.
24 Are filters cleaned manually or by an automatic system?
n Manually n Automatically27

Filter status (and flushing system) is manually checked at least
twice a season and corrected if necessary.

28 During filter flushing, flush water is captured for reuse.

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13

NOTE: Pages 14-15 containsets of practices specific todifferent types of irrigation:

This section applies to drip and micro-sprinkler systems only. Skip if notapplicable to this orchard.

I have tried it

My current practice

29 The system has pressure compensating emitters to help maintainsystem distribution uniformity.

n

n

n

n

30 The pH of the irrigation water source(s) has been checked atleast once in the past year.

n

n

n

n

The EC (electroconductivity or salinity), bicarbonate, and/or ironlevels of the irrigation water source(s) have been tested at least
once in the past 2 years.

n

n

n

n

32 Filtration and chemical treatment are used as needed to prevent
clogging from biological causes.

n

n

n

n

33 All irrigation lines and emitters are checked for leaks or clogs
at least weekly (preferably with every irrigation for microsprinklers).

n

n

n

n

34 Irrigation lines are flushed at least at the start of the season, atleast once mid season, and more often as needed.

n

n

n

n

35 System pressure at the emitters farthest from the pump is
checked at least once per season. (Monthly is recommended.)

n

n

n

n

For my orchard, I am using the following practices and/or
technologies for maximizing my drip or micro-irrigation systemefficiency:

Not applicable

I haven’t tried it

For these pages, only answer
questions for sections
that apply to the irrigation
system(s) in the orchard
being assessed. Questions
applying to all orchards
resume on page 26.

Not familiar with this• Drip or micro-sprinklers,and Sprinklers—page 14• Flood/furrow—page 15

Drip and Micro-sprinklers

31

36 Other: ________________________________________________nThis section applies to sprinkler systems only. Skip if not applicable to thisorchard.

I haven’t tried it

I have tried it

My current practice

n

n

n

n

38 In the past 5 years, sprinkler heads or nozzles have been checked
for wear and replaced with the correct nozzle size to maintain
distribution uniformity.

n

n

n

n

Not applicableNot familiar with thisAll sprinklers are checked for leaks or geysers with each irrigation.

For my orchard, I am using the following practices and/or
technologies for maximizing my sprinkler system efficiency:

sprinklerS
37

39 Other: ________________________________________________14n

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This section applies to flood or furrow systems only. Skip if not applicableto this orchard.

I haven’t tried it

I have tried it

My current practice

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

42 The orchard produces no tailwater, or a tailwater recovery andreuse system is in place.

n

n

n

n

n

43 Flow meters are installed on lines from pumps or in supply
pipelines or ditches (e.g., Weir notch or Parshall flume), or arecord of metered flow volumes is provided to me by my district.

n

n

n

n

n

a. Flow meters are monitored at each irrigation.

n

n

n

n

n

b. Water volumes are recorded for each irrigation.

n

n

n

n

n

c. All flow meters have been inspected and calibrated in thepast 2 years.

n

n

n

n

n

Not applicableNot familiar with thisn

For my orchard, I am using the following practices and/or
technologies for maximizing my flood or furrow irrigation
efficiency:

FLOOD/FURROW
40 The orchard was laser leveled during orchard establishment.
41

Levee locations in the orchard are based on observed infiltration
rates (i.e., each check is appropriately sized for maximum water
application uniformity).

44 Other: ________________________________________________

nReferences and more information

Flood Irrigation Sustainability
Flood or furrow irrigation
is not widely practiced in
California orchards today. It
generally uses more water
than other forms of irrigationand tends to deliver lower
yields than drip or microsprinklers. However, floodor furrow irrigation has
advantages for controllingsmall burrowing mammals in
the orchard, requires little orno energy for pumping when
done with gravity-fed water,and has lower infrastructure
costs. Moreover, farmers
who want to use vegetationor cover crops to build soilorganic matter and/or keep
dust down may need todeliver water to the entire
orchard floor.
For optimizing water
applications, space levees/
checks in the orchard
according to soil type. Thatis, if water tends to infiltrate
more rapidly in one area,
encourage water to move
more quickly to areas withslower infiltration rather thanmaking uniform-sized checks.

Schwankl, Larry, Blaine Hanson, and Terry Prichard. 1998. Micro-Irrigation of Trees andVines: a Handbook for Water Managers. University of California, Davis.
Schwankl, Larry, Blaine Hanson, and Terry Prichard. 2008. Maintaining Microirrigation
Systems, Publication 21637. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources,
Oakland, CA.
Schwankl, Larry. 2009. Fine Tuning Your Microirrigation System. UC Kearney Ag
Research Center. Accessed on September 10, 2009, http://schwankl.uckac.edu/PDFs/
WEST%20SIDE%20MICRO%20TUNING.pdf
Schwankl, Larry. 2009. Orchard Irrigation: Determining the Application Rate
& Uniformity of a Microirrigation System. University of California Cooperative
Extension. Accessed on March 22, 2010 at http://www.almondboard.com/Handlers/Documents/3.09-Application-Rate-of-Microirrigation.pdf
Scott, Verne H. and Clyde E. Houston. 1981. Measuring Irrigation Water, Leaflet 2956.
University of California, Division of Agricultural Sciences.
Toro Ag Irrigation Resources: http://www.toroag.com

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15

Irrigation Scheduling 101
David Doll, Pomology Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension
Calculating Orchard Water Use
To optimize irrigation scheduling, the variables of weather, water
availability, and plant stress must be taken into account. Each of thesevariables may change throughout the irrigation season, increasing thecomplexity in determining when an irrigation should occur and theamount of water to apply.
To determine how much water to apply, the irrigation needs of the plantmust be calculated. This amount is weather driven and is influenced by
the humidity, temperature, and time of day. The demand for water by thealmond tree is called evapotranspiration (ET). ET accounts for the lossof water through soil surface evaporation and the loss of water throughopenings in the leaves, stomates, that allow the gas exchange required forphotosynthesis.
To determine irrigation scheduling, the amount of water used by ET must
be calculated. This is done by measuring water use by a reference crop(ETo) and multiplying it by a scientifically based crop coefficient (Kc). The
Kc is a simplified way of representing the ratio of water use by the cropin question (ETc) to the ETo. Knowing this, the following equation can beconstructed to calculate almond water use:
ETc = ETo x Kc
The state of California operates the California Irrigation Management
Information System (CIMIS), a network of over 120 automated weather
stations across the state. Information from the stations is available forfree online, and is updated hourly. The ETo used throughout California
is calculated from grass pasture. When accessing CIMIS to view weather
conditions and water use, the values are always presented for the ETo.
Therefore, to determine the ETc, locate the weather station closest to theorchard, download the cumulative ETo for all of the days since the last
irrigation (or any other time frame), and multiply that number by the Kc
for almonds to calculate the amount of water your orchard lost due to ET.
Since almonds experience changes in physiological conditions and canopy
coverage throughout the year, there are different Kc values for different
periods of the year. Table 1 provides crop coefficients as provided by theUnited Nations Food and Agricultural Organization for almond orchards
experiencing light to moderate winds with and without cover crops.

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Table 1: Almond crop coefficients provided by the United Nations Food and Agricultural
Organization
AlmondOrchard
Kc by
Month

Dec /
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June /
July /
Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

With cover
crop

0.85

0.85

0.85

0.95

1.05

1.15

1.10

0.90

0.85

Without
cover crop

0.00

0.00

0.50

0.70

0.85

0.90

0.80

0.75

0.65

Remember that these coefficients are based upon research, and further
research may refine the values listed above. There is currently ongoing
research within California to revise these numbers. When the researchis complete, any new numbers will be published in various California ag
journals and posted to the reference section of the CIMIS website.
Now that the Kc and ETo have been identified, almond water use can becalculated. To illustrate the ease of ETc calculations, Table 2 provides anexample in calculating the amount of water used by a mature almondorchard in May 2010.
Table 2: Example evapotranspiration calculations for a mature almond orchard in MercedCounty for May 2010. All units are in acre inches per acre.
ETc for the week Cumulative total ofwater use by the(water lost from
Almond Orchard
the orchard)
w/cover crop

ETo for the week(Grass wateruse) provided by
CIMIS

Almond Kc forthe month of
May (from
Table 1)

May 1st – 7th

1.65

1.05

1.74

1.74

8th – 14th

1.20

1.05

1.26

1.26 + 1.74 = 3

15th – 21st

1.39

1.05

1.46

3 + 1.46 = 4.46

22nd – 28th

1.19

1.05

1.25

4.46 + 1.25 = 5.71

29th – 31st

0.72

1.05

0.76

5.71 + 0.76 = 6.47

Week

As Table 2 demonstrates, a mature almond orchard grown under thedescribed conditions used nearly 6.5 acre inches of water per acre in May
of 2010.
The crop coefficient for young orchards (generally less than 7th leaf)
will be slightly lower than that of a mature orchard. To calculate howmuch lower, estimate the canopy coverage of the orchard at mid-day by
estimating the area of the orchard floor that is shaded by the tree. Double
this percentage and then multiply by the corresponding crop coefficient.
For example, a 3rd leaf orchard covering 40% of the orchard floor will

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17use 80% of the water that a mature orchard would use. Once the canopy
shades 50% of the orchard floor, assume that it will use full ETc.
Tables of historical ETc values for each week of the year for almonds in
California are also available. The historical values are based on several
years of ET calculations for each week. They cannot account for variations
in weather that occur every year (unseasonably hot or cool weather).
Nevertheless, they are simple to use and are much better than attempting
to guess the orchard’s water demand.
Determining Water Holding Capacity
Understanding the needs of the tree is only one part of efficiently
irrigating. The second component is understanding how much water canbe held within the given soil of an orchard. Conceptually, soil is similar toa sponge, being filled with water upon irrigation and slowly being drainedor ‘squeezed out’ over the course of the irrigation cycle. If too much water
is applied to the soil, it either runs off the surface or drains out of thebottom of the soil column. If too little, there isn’t enough water for the tree
to make it to the next irrigation without undergoing stress. The maximum
amount of water that can be held within the soil after it has had time todrain is the soil water holding capacity.
It is important to understand a few terms when dealing with anddiscussing soil water holding capacity. Soil saturation is when all of the soil
pores in a given layer of soil are filled with water—this condition occurs
immediately after irrigation and continues until gravity pulls the water
through the pores of the soil. Once the soil has drained, usually 1-3 days
after an irrigation/rain event, the soil is at field capacity. This water is held
against gravity within small pores by the soil particles, and is the largest
volume of water that a given amount of soil can hold between irrigations.
In contrast, the permanent wilting point of a soil is the point at which all
the water available to plant roots is gone. The difference in water volume
between the field capacity and wilting point is the available soil water
holding capacity—or the amount of water available to the plant.
It is important to note that at field capacity not all of the pore space isfilled with water, and at permanent wilting point not all of the water isremoved from the soil. The amount of water to refill the soil profile isrelated to the texture of the soil; coarser soils hold less water while fine,heavy soils hold more. This is due to the differing size of soil particles andpore space in these soils. In general, soils are about 50% solids, 50% porespace. The pore spaces hold varying proportions of water and air.

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Table 3: Available water for various soil types
Type of Soil

Range (in/ft)

Average (in/ft)

Coarse (S/LS)

0.6-1.00

0.75

Sandy (LS/SL/L)

1.00-1.50

1.25

Medium (L/SCL)

1.25-2.2

1.50

Fine (SiL/SiCL/CL/SIC)

1.7-2.4

2.00

Basically, when efficiently irrigating, water needs to be applied to refill
the soil profile to field capacity but prevent the loss of water to deep
percolation. Thus, determining how much water can be applied whenirrigating depends on the soil within the orchard. The available soil water
holding capacity can be looked up in Table 3. It is given in terms of inches
per foot of soil depth. Table 3 gives a rough approximation of available
water capacity by soil types, but more specific information about the soil
type and texture within an orchard is available from the USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, formerly the Soil Conservation
Service). A visit to the local county NRCS office or use of the free online
Web Soil Survey (websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov) will provide information
regarding the soil profile and soil types and water holding capacity within
the orchard. Keep in mind that these maps are not always accurate. Fact
check the soil map by walking the orchard and reviewing the texturechanges, digging backhoe pits, or using a soil auger. Table 4 is an example
of a report generated from the Web Soil Survey showing a Hanford sandy
loam with available water holding capacity of 0.11-0.13 in/in at a depth of
0-12 inches and 0.12-0.15 in/in at a depth of 12-60 inches:

Table 4: Example from Web Soil Survey:
Mapsymbol& soilname

HdA:
HanfordDepth Sand

Silt

Clay

Moist bulk
density

Availablewatercapacity

Linear extensibility

Organic
matter

In

Pct

Pct

Pct

g/cc

In/In

Pct

Pct

0-12

---

---

7-18

1.50-1.60

0.11-0.13

0.0-2.9

0.5-1.0

12-60

---

---

7-18

1.50-1.60

0.12-0.15

0.0-2.9

0.0-0.5

Also keep in mind that soil is 3-dimensional. Soil sampling at various
depths can help determine if the soil texture throughout the root zone
is uniform or made up of layers of textures. It is advisable to have soil
maps on hand to help identify known texture changes. Root zone depth isusually determined by soil being excavated by an auger/probe, texturing

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19

the soil, and checking for roots. For most orchards, if the ground was
prepared properly during establishment, there will be between 3-4 feet ofroot zone. The presence of a clay lens, hardpan, or gravel layer may reduce
the root profile depth and water availability to the tree. Once a soil texture
profile has been developed, the amount of water that the soil can hold canbe easily calculated by using Table 3 on page 19. For example:

Table 5: Example calculation of Available Water Holding Capacity
Soil Surface(in)Soil Texture

Depth inFeet

Available Water Holding
Capacity (From Table 3)

Available water ineach soil layer (in)

1-12

Sand

1

0.6

0.6

13-24 Loamy Sand

1

0.8

0.8

25-42 Sandy Loam

1.5

1.0

1.5
Total: 2.9

In the example above, there are 2.9 inches of water available for the tree
to use. When scheduling to irrigate, do not deplete the available watercompletely. Upon using 50% of the available water, irrigation should occur.
Letting the profile go completely dry will deplete all deep soil moisture,stress the tree, and affect tree performance (yields). Irrigating at 50%
depletion also provides a bit of a “fudge factor”, helping to avoid potential
mistakes. So, using the example above, irrigation should be scheduled
when 1.4-1.5 inches of water have been used by evapotranspiration.
Knowing the amount of water that can be held within the soil is also
helpful in determining how much water is needed to refill the entire
rooting profile. In the soil profile used in the example above, irrigating
more than 3.0 inches may lead to deep percolation. Deep percolation
may be of benefit if leaching of salts from the rooting profile is desired,
but it may also leach nutrients out of the root zone. This not only wastes
fertilizer but also may result in nitrate contamination of groundwater.
For more information and estimating soil moisture by the ‘feel’ method,
please check the references and more information section of this module.
Taking irrigation efficiency into accountWhen water is applied to an orchard, loss of some amount of water should
be expected, and must be considered when calculating the amount ofwater being applied. If not, an overestimation of the amount of waterreaching the trees will occur. This amount of loss will vary on the irrigation
system used, soil and climatic conditions, and water management
conditions.

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Water applied to a field can be lost by runoff, percolation below the root
zone, sprinkler spray evaporation, and off-target drift. Efforts to minimize
these inefficiencies should be employed, and could include longer
irrigation sets at lower rates, the construction of tailwater return systems,
and/or sub-surface installed systems.
Irrigation efficiency (Ea) is defined as the percentage of applied water thatis held in the root zone. Mathematically, it is:
Ea = water stored/water applied
Irrigation methods commonly used within the almond orchard include
surface irrigation systems, such as flood and furrow, and pressurized
systems, including sprinkler, drip, and micro-sprinkler. Irrigation efficiency
differs with each system (Table 6). With surface systems, fast movementof the water from the head end to the tail of the field end usually resultsin higher irrigation efficiency. Within pressurized systems, distribution
depends on design parameters including spacing, nozzle type and size,
riser height, and operating pressure. Keep in mind that maintenance andfiltration affect pressurized systems more than surface based systems.
Pressurized systems, however, are usually more efficient due to the
reduction of run-off and water loss through deep percolation.

Table 6: Application
efficiency typical of various
irrigation systems
SystemEa (%)

Basin/Flood

65-80

Furrow

65-75

Solid Set Sprinkler

75-85

Micro-sprinkler

85-90

Drip

90-95

When calculating orchard water needs, irrigation efficiency must be taken
into account or under-irrigation will occur. Table 7 includes some examples
that show the different water application needs due to differences in
irrigation efficiency.

Table 7: Example of differences among system efficiencies
Location: San Joaquin Valley
Soil: Loamy Sand
Rooting Depth: 5 feet
Available Water-Holding Capacity (AWC): 0.6 in/ft
Depletion of AWC before irrigation: 50%
Irrigate when AWC reaches 1.5 inches
Flood Irrigation

Micro-sprinkler

Drip Irrigation

Ea = .70

Ea = .85

Ea = .90

Weekly ET = 1.5 inches

Weekly ET = 1.5 inches

Weekly ET = 1.5 inches

Water required to recharge
1.5 inches: 2.14 inches

Water required to recharge
1.5 inches: 1.76 inches

Water required to recharge
1.5 inches: 1.67 inches

Difference from drip: + 0.47
inchesDifference from drip:+ 0.09
inchesOver the course of the crop year, there may be 15 or more inches of water
needed to fully irrigate a flood irrigated orchard in comparison to a drip

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21irrigated orchard. If unaccounted for, this lack of water will lead to water
stress and loss of potential yield.
Applying a leaching fraction in saline conditions
Much of the Central Valley has access to high quality surface irrigationwater through irrigation districts. Nevertheless, many almond orchards
around the state have irrigation sources of variable quality. An example
might be a well that pumps from an aquifer that contains high levelsof sodium or chloride. Testing your water quality on a regular basis is
recommended since aquifer quality can change over time.
Orchards with a water source that is saline need to take salts into accountespecially when using drip irrigation or micro-sprinklers. The salts thatmake the water saline will accumulate within the rooting zone of thetree unless extra water is applied. The amount of water needed to flush
the salts beyond the root zone is called the leaching fraction or leaching
factor. For more information about the effective use of leaching to movesalts and under what conditions it is recommended, see the Almond
Production Manual from the University of California.
Calculating the amount to apply as a leaching fraction is dependent upon
the salinity of the soil and the salinity of the irrigation water source. An
agriculture testing lab can generally run a test to determine water salinity
or a kit can be purchased to be used around the farm. The salinity ismeasured through electroconductivity or EC and is expressed in units of
deciSiemens per meter (dS/m).
Once you have the soil and water source salinity measured, the following
equations can be used to determine the proper ‘leaching fraction’:
ECe = Salinity of the Soil (dS/m)
ECiw = Salinity of Irrigation Water (dS/m)
Ea = Irrigation System Application Efficiency
ECiw
Leaching Requirement (LR) =(5 x ECe) – ECiw
Net Inches Required
Gross Inches =(1 – LR) (Ea)22

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Here is an example of calculating the leaching fraction for an orchard withthe following parameters: 1.98 net inches of water needs to be applied, theefficiency of the irrigation system is 80%, the soil EC is 4.0 dS/m, and theEC of the irrigation water is 2.0 dS/m:
ECe = Salinity of the Soil (dS/m) = 4.0
ECiw = Salinity of Irrigation Water (dS/m) = 2
ECiw

2

Leaching Requirement (LR) ==(5 x ECe) – ECiw

Net Inches Required
Gross Inches == 0.11(5 x 4.0) – 2

1.98=(1 – LR) (Ea)= 2.78(1 – 0.11)(0.8)

Using this example, 2.78 inches of water would need to be applied tosupply the needed 1.98 inches and maintain the soil EC at 4.0. The extra
0.8 inches is used to compensate for the irrigation system inefficiency andthe leaching fraction. Watering less than 2.78 inches will lead to a buildup
of salts and eventually to a salinity problem.
Bringing it all together
To help with the understanding of how to schedule an irrigation
using ET, soil water holding capacity, irrigation system efficiency, andleaching fractions, an example calculation has been included. The
following worksheet was put together by Ken Oster of USDA NRCS fora hypothetical almond orchard in Stanislaus County with an effective
rooting depth of 30 inches and a salinity problem. He used soil data fromthe NRCS Web Soil Survey for the available water holding capacity at thissample site.

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23

HOW MUCH IRRIGATION WATER TO APPLY BASED ON YOUR SOIL
Determine available water holding capacity (AWC) of your soil.

Soil Texture
Depth

Texture(inches)

Layer
Thickness(inches)

AWC(in. water/in.
soil)

Total AWC
(inches)

Silt Loam

0-8

8

0.17

1.36

Total =

Total
Rooting
Depth =

Crop:
Potential Root Zone: _______inches
Effective rooting—upper 1/2 of maximum root zone (zone of 90% of
the roots by weight, and supplying 70% of the water): _______inches

NOTE: Generally, 50% is
the MAD for orchards,
unless experience guides
you to adapt this.

Available water holding capacity (AWC): _______inches

See Table 6 for typical systemefficiencies

Application efficiency (Ea): _______%

Management allowed depletion (MAD): _______% = 0._______
Inches required = 0. _______ x _______ AWC (inches) = _______.

Net inches required
Gross inches= ________
Ea

When salt is an issue:
ECe = salinity of oil (dS/m) = _______
ECiw = salinity of irrigation water (dS/m) = _______
ECiw
Leaching requirement (LR) == ________(5 x ECe) – ECiw
Net inches required

Gross Inches == ________(1 – LR) (Ea)24

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EXAMPLE:  AWC of Hanford sandy loam

Soil Texture
Depth

Texture(inches)

Layer
Thickness(inches)

AWC(in. water/in.
soil)

Total AWC
(inches)

Sandy Loam

0-12

12

0.12

1.44

Sandy Loam

12-60

48

0.13

6.48

Total = 7.92

Total
Rooting
Depth = 60

Crop: Trees
Potential Root Zone: 60 inches
Effective rooting—upper 1/2 of maximum root zone (zone of 90% of
the roots by weight, and supplying 70% of the water): 30 inches
Available water holding capacity (AWC): 7.92/2 = 3.96 inches
Management allowed depletion (MAD): 50% = 0.5
Inches required = 0.5 x 3.96 AWC (inches) = 1.98
Application efficiency (Ea): 80% = 0.8
1.98
Gross inches= 2.480.8

ECe = salinity of oil (dS/m) = 4.0
ECiw = salinity of irrigation water (dS/m) = 2
2
Leaching requirement (LR) == 0.11(5 x 4.0) – 2
1.98

Gross Inches == 2.78(1 – 0.11) (0.8)

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25

Irrigation Volume and Timing
45 How many acre inches of water were applied (notrainfall) to this orchard for the season being assessed?

_________ acre inches/acre

46 Are you estimating this amount, or is this amountverified by measurement (e.g., flow meters)?

n meters n estimate

47 What is the source of irrigation water for this orchard?

n ground (well) watern surface/district watern bothI haven’t tried it

I have tried it

My current practice

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

a. Monitoring plant water stress with a method thatis not a pressure chamber (remote sensing, canopy
temperature, etc).

n

n

n

n

b. Monitoring plant water stress (stem water
potential) with a pressure chamber.

n

n

n

n

54 I monitor soil moisture by sampling with a shovel or auger(i.e., feel and appearance method).

n

n

n

n

55 I monitor soil moisture with devices such as neutron probes,
dielectric device, tensiometers, etc.

n

n

n

n

a. Soil monitoring is done with real-time, continuous
monitoring.

n

n

n

n

n

b. I have determined the available water holding capacity(AWC) of the soil for each irrigation set.

n

n

n

n

n

c. I have determined the Management Allowed Depletion
amount I desire to apply during crop growth stages (including
possible regulated deficit irrigation).

n

n

n

n

n

Not applicableNot familiar with thisn

For my orchard, I am using the following practices and/or
technologies for determining when to irrigate:

IRRIGATION SCHEDULING
48 I irrigate on a standard schedule/interval of my choice (i.e., by thecalendar). n Yes n No
49 I irrigate based on my water district’s delivery schedule.
n Yes n No
SCHEDULING BASED ON EVAPOTRANSPIRATION (ET)50 I make irrigation decisions by following historical ET.
51

I make irrigation decisions by following real time
evapotranspiration (ETc) data at least weekly and calculating thewater volume leaving the plant and soil.
PLANT STRESS MONITORING

52 I decide when to irrigate based on visual plant stress.
n Yes n No
53 I decide
when toirrigate basedon measured
plant stressby:

SOIL MOISTURE MONITORING

26

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Not applicable

My current practice

I have tried it

I haven’t tried it

Not familiar with thisFor my orchard, I am using the following practices and/or
technologies for determining when to irrigate:

IRRIGATION SCHEDULING (continued)
56 In addition to the above factors, my irrigation schedule isinfluenced by other limitations such as peak energy pricing.
n Yes n No
57

Other scheduling practices: _______________________________n

I haven’t tried it

I have tried it

My current practice

n

n

n

I irrigate following real-time evapotranspiration (ETc) data at
least weekly and calculating the water volume leaving the plantand soil.

n

n

n

n

62 I use Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI) where appropriate during
the season.

n

n

n

n

63 I apply a leaching fraction for salinity if indicated by soil orwater quality testing. (A leaching fraction is an extra portion ofirrigation water applied to flush salts from the root zone.)

n

n

n

n

Not applicableNot familiar with thisn

For my orchard, I am using the following practices and/or
technologies for deciding how much water to apply:

58 From the options below, choose the one which best describes
how you plan irrigations:n I generally irrigate on a standard interval (e.g., every 8 days)
and a standard run time (e.g., 8 hours).
n I generally irrigate on a standard interval (e.g., every 8 days),
but adjust the run time based on how much I want to apply.
n I generally irrigate using the same run time, but adjust theinterval based on how much I want to apply.
59 The amount I apply is based on what my water district delivers.
n Yes n No
60 I irrigate following a table of historical ET amounts.
61

64 Other scheduling practices: ______________________________C A L I F O R N I A A L M O N D S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y P R O G R A M — I R R I G AT I O N M A N A G E M E N T

n

n

27

I haven’t tried it

I have tried it

My current practice

n

n

n

n

66 The actual hourly application rate of each irrigation set (inches
per hour or gallons per acre per hour), measured in the past
12 months.

n

n

n

n

67 The actual distribution uniformity of each irrigation set, measured
in the past 12 months.

n

n

n

n

68 Flow rate per hour of pumping or gravity flow (flood or
sprinklers), or gallons per hour per tree (micro sprinklers) or per
100 feet of drip tape.

n

n

n

n

69 Total amount of time required to apply an inch (or othermeasurement) of water.

n

n

n

n

70 Other efficiency practices: _______________________________

28

Not applicableNot familiar with this65 The actual application efficiency of the irrigation system,measured in the past 12 months.

For my orchard, I keep the following information on hand for
calculating how much water to apply:n

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References and more information
Center for Irrigation Technology, California State University Fresno:
http://www.wateright.org
Dorenbos, J. and W.O. Pruitt. 1984. Crop Water Requirements - Guidelines for Predicting
Crop Water Requirements, FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 24. FAO, Rome.
Hanson, Blaine, Larry Schwankl, and Allan Fulton. 1999. Scheduling Irrigations: Whenand How Much Water to Apply. University of California Irrigation Program, University ofCalifornia, Davis.
Micke, Warren C., ed. 1996. Almond Production Manual, Publication 3364. University ofCalifornia Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Oakland, CA.
Oster, Ken. 2009. How Much Irrigation Water to Apply Based on Your Soil. Handout from
Drip and Micro Sprinkler Irrigation meeting, Stanislaus County NRCS, August 4, 2009.
Pritchard, Terry. 2008. Managing Almond Yields with Less Water. University of California
Cooperative Extension. Accessed on August 19, 2009, http://cesanjoaquin.ucdavis.edu/
files/47617.pdf
Sanden, Blake. 2010. Scientific Irrigation Scheduling in Permanent Crops: Process,
Planning, Programs & Pressure Bomb. University of California Cooperative Extension,
Kern County, workshop handout. Accessed June 21, 2010, http://cekern.ucdavis.edu/
files/78071.pdf
Schwankl, Larry. 2009. Orchard Irrigation: Determining the Application Rate
& Uniformity of a Microirrigation System. University of California Cooperative
Extension. Accessed on March 22, 2010 at http://www.almondboard.com/Handlers/Documents/3.09-Application-Rate-of-Microirrigation.pdf
Shackel, Kenneth A. 2009. The Pine Tree and the Pressure Chamber. Online instructional
video. Accessed on August 19, 2009, http://www.chlorofilms.org/index.php/crpVideo/
display/videoid/27
Shackel, Kenneth A. 2009. The Pressure Chamber, a.k.a The Bomb. University ofCalifornia Fruit & Nut Research Center, University of California, Davis. Accessed on
August 19, 2009, http://groups.ucanr.org/fnric/General_Management/The_Pressure_
Chamber,_aka_The_Bomb.htm
Shackel, Kenneth A., H. Ahmadi, W. Biasi, et al. 1997. Plant water status as an index ofirrigation need in deciduous fruit trees. HortTechnology 7(1):23-29.
UC Davis Drought Management Web Site: http://ucmanagedrought.ucdavis.edu/USDA
Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.
usda.gov
USDA Soil Conservation Service. Undated brochure. Estimating Soil Moisture by Feeland Appearance. Accessed on August 19, 2009, http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/
ecs/agronomy/soilmoisture/index.html

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Water Penetration and Salinity
Not familiar with thisI haven’t tried it

I have tried it

My current practice

Not applicablea. I have adjusted my irrigation to shorter, more frequent run
times to prevent ponding or runoff.

n

n

n

n

n

b. I alternate my water source (e.g., between well and district/surface water) to take advantage of the effect of different salt
levels (not applicable to all situations).

n

n

n

n

n

c. In the past 12 months, I have had my soils tested for salinity
and the types of salts present (e.g., electroconductivity or EC
plus Sodium Adsorption Ratio or SAR).

n

n

n

n

n

d. In the past 12 months, I have had my irrigation water
source(s) tested for salinity and the types of salts present (e.g.,
electroconductivity or EC plus Sodium Adsorption Ratio or SAR).

n

n

n

n

n

e. I periodically apply organic matter to my soil.

n

n

n

n

n

f. I periodically plant a cover crop or maintain annual volunteer
vegetation in the orchard.

n

n

n

n

n

g. I apply gypsum, sulfuric acid, or other chemical additives
such as organic polyacrylamides (PAM) and polysaccharides
or surfactants to the soil or irrigation water to improve water
penetration.

n

n

n

n

n

h. My soil surface seals, and I use tillage to enhance water
penetration.

n

n

n

n

n

For my orchard, I am using the following practices and/or
technologies for improving the penetration of my irrigationwater:

71

72

30

Select the description which best describes this orchard’s
infiltration status:
n My orchard does not have water penetration problems.
Water does not pond on the soil surface for long periods, andsoil aeration and root growth appear to be adequate. If true,
the remaining items on this page may not apply. Choose “notapplicable” for those which do not apply.
n My orchard has had some of the above symptoms of water
penetration problems, and I have taken the following corrective
steps:

Other: ________________________________________________nC A L I F O R N I A A L M O N D S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y P R O G R A M — I R R I G AT I O N M A N A G E M E N T

Not familiar with thisI haven’t tried it

I have tried it

My current practice

Not applicable

73 If from a well, irrigation water is tested at least every other year for
pH, salinity, total dissolved solids, boron, selenium, chloride, andsodium.

n

n

n

n

n

a. The orchard’s soil salinity (soil EC) is monitored
and irrigations include a leaching fraction or othermeasures to address potential problems.

n

n

n

n

n

b. The water is treated (e.g., reverse osmosis [RO]or nanotech filter) to reduce salinity.

n

n

n

n

n

c. The water is amended to assist infiltration.

n

n

n

n

n

For my orchard, I am using the following practices and/or
technologies for preventing salinity problems:

74

75

If problems
exist with
the quality of
the irrigationwater:

Other: ________________________________________________

nReferences and more information
Burt, C., K. O’Connor and T. Ruehr. 1998. Fertigation. Irrigation Training and ResearchCenter, California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, California.
Hanson, Blaine, Larry Schwankl, and Alan Fulton. 1999. Scheduling Irrigations: Whenand How Much Water to Apply. University of California Irrigation Program, University ofCalifornia, Davis.
Oster, Ken. 2009. How Much Irrigation Water to Apply Based on Your Soil. Handout
from Drip and Micro Sprinkler Irrigation meeting, Stanislaus County NRCS, Modesto, CA,
August 4, 2009.
Prichard, Terry. 2007. Improving Water Penetration in Orchards. University of California
Cooperative Extension. Accessed on September 2, 2009 at http://cesanjoaquin.ucdavis.
edu/files/32719.pdf
Sanden, Blake. 2006. Soil and water quality for trees and vines. Proceedings 2006
California Plant and Soil Conference, “Realities of Modern Agriculture”, Visalia, CA 7-8
Feb 2006, pp.119-126. Accessed on March 22, 2010 at http://calasa.ucdavis.edu.
Sanden, Blake. 2007. Fall Irrigation Management in a Drought Year for Almonds,
Pistachios and Citrus. Kern Soil and Water Newsletter, September 2007. University ofCalifornia Cooperative Extension, Kern County. Accessed on March 22, 2009 at http://
cekern.ucdavis.edu/files/64007.pdf
Sanden, Blake. 2009. Managing Salinity, Calculating Leaching in Almonds. Handout from
Kern Spring Irrigation Workshop, University of California Cooperative Extension,
Bakersfield, CA, March 31, 2009.
Shackel, K., R. Buchner, J. Connell, J. Edstrom, A. Fulton, B. Holtz, B. Lampinen, W. Reil,and M. Viveros. 2004. Deficit irrigation management during hull split. Annual
Proceedings of Almond Board of California, pp. 106-109.
Shackel, K., A. Fulton, W. Krueger, and B. Lampinen. CARDIP 2006 report: Almond RDI
and consumptive water use. Accessed on March 22, 2010 at http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/
files/filelibrary/2280/37314.pdf
Teviotdale, B.L, T. Michailides, D.A. Goldhamer, M. Viveros, L. Schmidt, and V. Hines. 1994.
Cutting off irrigation early may reduce almond hull rot. California Agriculture 48:3, pp.
33-36.

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