Almond water requirements

This chapter discusses the irrigation requirements of an almond orchard, and describes the impacts of drought stress on almond vegetative growth, in-season kernel and fruit bud development, as well as yield. The management of orchard irrigation in water-limited environments is also discussed. Additional factors and considerations of water management are presented, discussing the effects of crop load, negative effects of canopy reduction, increasing soil salinity from reduced water quantity or quality, cultivar influences on water requirements, micro-irrigation systems and timing of water applications, reduction of water losses through evaporation, removal of the cover crop, minimal impacts of anti-transpirants, reduction in nitrogen applications, and insect management.