THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURAL METHODS ON THE WATER RELATIONS OF FRUIT TREES

If they are to grow well and produce an optimum crop, fruit trees need a water supply which is adequate to meet much of their potential transpiration. In practice this may not occur due to either soil water reserves being inadequate or the root system unable to supply water at the necessary rate. Both of these limitations can be affected by the way the orchard is managed. The effects of planting density, soil management, irrigation and other means of water stress relief are discussed here in relation to their effects upon water supply, the demand for water for transpiration and the potential of the tree to absorb water.