Water balance of apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca L. cv. Bulida) under dripirrigation

The water balance of drip irrigated apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca L. cv. Bulida grafted onto "Realfino" apricot rootstock) was determined during a 3 0-month-period. Two irrigation regimes based on the reduction coefficients of Class A pan evaporation (1 and 0.5) were used to determine the water con sumed. The water balance parameters for these treatments are shown and disc ussed in detail. Overall, the trees receiving less water showed 35% less ev apotranspiration. Crop coefficients calculated on the basis of the water ba lance over a 30-month-period led to a saving of almost 14% water, since the coefficients were slightly below those used in other apricot orchards in t he same area. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.