Peach culture in California

Bibliographic data

Monograph

Identifikator:: 1833271505

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-221985

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Overholser, E. L. http://d-nb.info/gnd/123737538X; Duruz, W. P.

Title:: Peach culture in California

Place of publication:: Berkeley

Publisher:: Univ. of Calif.

Year of publication:: 1930

Scope:: 55 S.; Ill.

Digitisation:: 2022

Collection:: Economics Books

Usage license:: Get license information via the feedback formular.

Chapter

Document type:: Monograph

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Care of the peach orchard

Collection:: Economics Books

1930] Peace CurnTure IN CALIFORNIA 35 IRRIGATION The majority of the feeding roots of peach trees are probably within the upper six feet of soil. The moisture in this soil area is rapidly depleted during the growing season, but it appears possible for roots to take some moisture from greater depths. In most localities irrigation is necessary during the summer. It is impossible to store moisture in the upper six feet of soil in mature orchards for any long period of time during the growing season as the trees exhaust the supply rapidly. Ilence, it is customary in many peach orchards to begin irrigation between April 15 and May 15, and follow with one or more irrigations before the crop is harvested. For normal growth of the tree and fruit it seems desirable for the soil to be adequately supplied during the growing season. There is little evidence that winter irrigation is necessary where winter rains are ample. In some districts, however, where irrigation water is available only during the winter months, and the rains are insufficient to fill the soil to the water holding capacity, winter irrigations may be given (fig. 9). Trees, however, should be ade- quately irrigated in the fall, and the soil should not be permitted to become dry after harvest and during the weeks preceding the winter rains. It is estimated that the peach should have an average annual minimum of 16 inches of rainfall, or its equivalent on soil having a high water holding capacity. Twelve to sixteen inches of rainfall in the winter insures enough water to fill six feet of average soil to the maximum field capacity. The excess water percolates to lower depths and may help to maintain the tree over dry summer months through its extraction by the deeper roots. Tt is necessary though to supple- ment the rainfall with irrigation. Where the soil depth is limited by bedrock and hardpan, water in excess of a limited amount which can be held in the soil or on the bedrock is lost as runoff. Experience shows that, even with abundant winter rainfall, summer irrigation will usually pay. A decision as to whether there is enough moisture in the soil is dependent upon the particular orchard. Young trees use less water than older trees, although it is usually advisable to irrigate to promote the growth of young trees. A soil sample taken to the depth of six feet by means of a soi auger or other tool is the best way to determine when to irrigate. . A simple method is to take some of the soil sample and squeeze it in the hand: if the soil crumbles easily upon releasing, irrigation is needed.

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