Water balance in apricot orchard (Prunus armeniaca L. cv Bulida) under drip irrigation

We estudied the water balance in apricot trees (var. Bulida) receiving two irrigation treatments, representing a 100% and 50% of evapotranspiration (ETc) needs. All the terms of the mass conservation law were measured, except drainage and rainfall, which were estimated indirectly. The results showed that when the water provided represented 50 % of the tree requirements, there was a 35 % decrease in the ETc. The experimental crop coefficients show that it is possible to save irrigation water with respect to FAO recommendations.