Search Results for: Pressure Chamber

Using a Pressure Chamber is Worthwhile

Visual cues of crop stress are among the most basic observations that can be used to manage irrigation in orchard crops. However, these cues can be somewhat subjective and are often expressed after plant stress is higher than desired. Measuring midday stem water potential (SWP) using a pressure chamber is a quantitative method for evaluating plant water status. Continue reading

Using a Pressure Chamber to Manage Irrigation

The University of California Cooperative Extension invites fruit and nut crop producers to participate in a free training opportunity. This workshop will offer classroom teaching and field experience. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn to use a pressure chamber on different nut and fruit crops, work with different types of pressure chambers and learn about a new app that speeds up the monitoring process. Continue reading

Wet winter concerns: Phytophthora and waterlogging

Excessive water, caused by rain, flooding, or even overirrigation, is a challenge for orchards and can cause two very different problems: waterlogging and Phytophthora infection. Given that we had bountiful rain this winter and orchards with standing water were common, continuous monitoring and collaboration with your PCA or farm advisor will be increasingly valuable. Continue reading

Late-season Irrigation Management in Prune

Producers should strive to maintain sufficient tree water status to maintain any current crop-load as well as overall tree and orchard health to help support crops in the coming years. Spring freezes and reduced water supplies have significantly affected production. When considering late-season irrigation strategies for prune trees, both the current and following season’s crops must be considered. Continue reading