As walnut production has become more profitable for growers, some new orchards are developed at more marginal locations. Additionally precision irrigation technology has allowed planting at locations previously thought to be unsuitable for walnut production. Walnut differs from other deciduous trees such as stone fruits and irrigation management affects all phases of nut and tree development. In walnut, water curtailments at any growth stage affect crop productivity and quality.

Here you'll find information that you can use to make the most effective irrigation decisions for using the water you have in your prune orchard. Included is a wide range of water supply availabilities, from no shortage to severe shortages.

The pressure chamber (or pressure bomb) is a device fruit and nut growers can use to measures a tree's stem water potential at midday—and so determine exactly how much irrigation water to apply and when. Learn the ins and outs of this excellent tool.