Techniques and Tools to Determine When to Start Irrigation

This session introduces the almond irrigation improvement continuum, a manual focused on enhancing irrigation management and scheduling for California almond growers. The continuum comprises five irrigation practices and three progressive levels of improvement. The fundamental level (level one) involves evaluating irrigation system performance, while the intermediate level (level two) incorporates more advanced techniques to improve crop yield per water unit. The advanced level (level three) combines practices from the previous levels to maximize efficiency. Additionally, the continuum addresses determining water use through real-time data and the importance of irrigation efficiency, soil moisture monitoring, and plant water status assessment. The speaker further explains irrigation scheduling methods, highlighting the need for adjustments based on specific orchard conditions. He outlines weather-based, soil-based, and plant-based methods, emphasizing the importance of considering both plant and soil factors for effective irrigation scheduling. The session also covers the use of new technologies for precise water status measurement and irrigation decisions, ultimately aiming to optimize irrigation practices and maximize crop yield.

After completing this course, learners will be able to:

• Understand the Almond Irrigation Improvement Continuum, a framework designed to enhance irrigation management and scheduling for almond growers, with three progressive levels of improvement.
• Identify the fundamental level (level one) practices, such as evaluating irrigation system performance, which forms the foundation of improved water management.
• Explore intermediate level (level two) techniques that incorporate more advanced practices to improve crop yield per unit of water.
• Recognize the advanced level (level three), which integrates methods from previous levels to maximize irrigation efficiency and crop performance.
• Learn how to determine water use using real-time data and apply new technologies for precise measurement of water status.
• Understand the importance of irrigation efficiency, soil moisture monitoring, and plant water status assessment for optimal water management.
• Gain insights into different irrigation scheduling methods, including weather-based, soil-based, and plant-based approaches, and how to adjust based on specific orchard conditions.
• Apply strategies to optimize irrigation practices, ultimately aiming to maximize crop yield while conserving water and improving system efficiency.