IN YOUR ORCHARD
loss in the water stressed blocks will be mostly due to lower kernel weight the first year, and due to less nuts produced in the second year. Almond trees are very resilient and have survived an entire season with just eight inches of water for the entire season. But, two years of yield loss will result even with a return to normal irrigation the second year. Try to irrigate in the evenings and at night, this will save water loss to evaporation. Short irrigation sets of less than six hours lose more water by evaporation than longer sets. Consider limiting water use of
non-crop plants such as cover crops or weeds in the alleyways. This is particularly true for sprinkler irrigated orchards. Nitrogen is the most important element we can apply to our tree fruit crops. Almond growth and productivity depend on the availability and uptake of nitrogen. Most fertilizer recommendations are based on making nitrogen available to our trees so that a nitrogen shortage does not limit tree growth or productivity. Unfortunately, a recent report commissioned by the State
Water Control Board, conducted by a team of UC Davis researchers, has shown that many of our wells are contaminated with excess nitrogen, and that agricultural fertilizers and dairy waste are the most likely source (groundwaternitrate.ucdavis.edu). Efficient nitrogen management will become increasing important in the future as we collectively try to reduce groundwater contamination while keeping our orchards productive. Nitrogen usage should be based on individual orchard’s cropping history (previous yields) and leaf and water analysis to determine nitrogen availability and potential sources. Almond nuts and shoots use most of the season’s nitrogen (80% of annual demand) between bloom and mid- June. Dr. Brown’s group at UC Davis recommends delivering fertilizer nitrogen at four different timings and amounts through the season — February or March (20% of total annual nitrogen input), April (30%), June (30%) and September–October (20%). Nitrogen use efficiency has increased dramatically (75–85%) in Dr. Brown’s studies where nitrogen is applied at the time of peak tree demand and uptake. I know many growers that “spoon feed” their trees with small injections of nitrogen and other liquid fertilizers into their irrigation systems. I would prefer to see you add a little bit of nitrogen with every irrigation from March to June, rather than applying large doses periodically through the season (we prefer three small meals a day
TGSV-Blade20154.5x5FINAL.pdf 1 12/12/14 2:42 PM
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