Evapotranspiration and irrigation effeciency of mature orange orchards in Valencia (Spain)

• DOI: 10.1007/bf01102930
• Publication Date: 2005-02-05T06:30:08Z
• Authors: Juan R. Castel; I. Bautista; C. Ramos; G. Cruz
• Keywords: Water balance; Crop coefficient; Pan evaporation; Water use

Actual evapotranspiration (ETc) of three mature sweet orange orchards (cv. Salustiana and Washington Navel on sour orange), under border irrigation and typical cultural practices was measured by the water balance method during 1981 to 1984. Soil water content was measured at 7 to 10 day intervals using a neutron meter and soil sampling of the 0–10 cm surface layer. Zero flux plane was calculated by measurements with mercury tensiometers. Irrigation water in these and other 5 similar orchards was measured by broad crested weirs. Rainfall and other climatic data for calculation of reference evapotranspiration by FAO's methods (ETo) were collected in a nearby meteorological station. Average yearly ETc ranged from 750 to 660 mm and mean monthly maximum was 3.7 and 3.2 mm/day in July for Salustiana and W. Navel orchards, respectively.