Plant-based irrigation management in sweet cherry to reduce water needs while maintaining yield and quality

Plant-based irrigation management
Plant-based irrigation management
Plant-based irrigation management

Project PI: Kosana Suvočarev

Co-PIs: Kenneth Shackel, Giulia Marino

Students: Jarin Tasnim Anika -help from Ian, Francisco and undergraduates-

Funding source: California Cherry Board

Project Description

We have been continuously measuring crop water use (ETa) by eddy covariance method for 5 years. In addition, we monitor applied water with flowmeters, plant water status with periodic pressure chamber and continuous Florapulse microtensiometer; and analyze and observe the cherry yield quantity and quality upon applying post-harvest deficit (PDI) irrigation.

Project Goals

1) develop crop coefficients for sweet cherry irrigation scheduling in California, 2) develop information on post-harvest regulated deficit irrigation based on plant water potential

Measurements:

3 Eddy covariance stations, flowmeters, Florapulse, pressure chamber

Plant-based irrigation management