Apricot Tree Irrigation in France: How to Proceed?

Quick read / the essentials on the apricot tree and its irrigation

The apricot tree, an iconic fruit tree of temperate regions, requires precise irrigation to ensure proper growth and optimal production. Whether you're an experienced arborist or just starting an orchard, choosing the right irrigation system is crucial for controlling water consumption and ensuring fruit quality. 🌱💦

As a specialist wholesale supplier of fruit tree plants , Arboriverse supports you in the purchase and cultivation of apricot trees by optimizing your irrigation techniques. It is essential to understand the different methods available: sprinkler, surface or buried drip irrigation. Among them, drip irrigation is the most effective solution, allowing water savings of 30 to 50% while ensuring targeted distribution at root level.

If you are looking to buy apricot plants , it is also important to consider the appropriate irrigation infrastructure. A mature apricot tree requires between 508 and 889 mm of water per year , with increasing demand during periods of active growth. Careful management, combined with the use of tensiometer probes to measure soil moisture, helps prevent water stress, which can lead to slow growth, premature fruit drop, or yield losses of up to 50%.

At Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of fruit tree seedlings , we offer a wide range of apricot seedlings selected for their quality and resistance to local climatic conditions. By providing you with robust plants and advising you on the best irrigation practices, we contribute to the optimization of your orchard.

To ensure quality production, it is essential to purchase apricot plants that are well-adapted to your soil and climate. By choosing a suitable irrigation system and adopting best practices, you maximize the profitability of your crop while preserving a precious resource: water.

Apricot Tree Irrigation: Techniques, Best Practices, and Signs of Water Deficiency

Apricot tree irrigation is an essential component of fruit production, influencing both tree growth and fruit quality. With water becoming a precious resource, it is crucial to optimize irrigation methods to ensure optimal yield while reducing water consumption. This article explores irrigation techniques suitable for a one-hectare plot in France, the best method to use, and the signs of water deficiency in apricot trees.

Most common irrigation methods for a one hectare plot

Two irrigation methods are primarily used for apricot trees in France: sprinkler irrigation and drip irrigation. Each has advantages and disadvantages in terms of efficiency, water consumption, and ease of installation.

Sprinkler irrigation is the most common technique, accounting for approximately 60% of irrigated areas in France. It comes in several variants, including the hose reel and front booms.

The hose reel is the most common equipment, covering approximately 66% of irrigated areas. It operates under hydraulic pressure and projects water over long distances, requiring approximately 30 minutes for installation and movement. Its main disadvantage is its relatively high water consumption.

Front booms, used on 3% of irrigated areas, allow water savings of up to 20% compared to hose reels. They are more suitable for rectangular and open plots and offer automated control.

Drip irrigation, on the other hand, is a precision micro-irrigation method, used on 3 to 5% of irrigated areas. It is divided into two main types: surface drip irrigation and buried drip irrigation.

Surface drip irrigation is a system where water is distributed by drippers placed on polyethylene pipes. Its flow rate is between 2 and 12 liters per hour and its operating pressure between 0.5 and 2 bars. This method allows for water savings of 30 to 50% compared to sprinkling.

The buried drip irrigation, installed at a depth of 30 to 40 cm, offers better efficiency in transporting water to the roots, limits evaporation and reduces the risk of foliar diseases linked to excessive humidity on the foliage.

Best irrigation method and implementation

Among the various irrigation techniques available, drip irrigation is often considered the best option for a one-hectare plot of apricot trees. It ensures precise water distribution, optimizes consumption, and facilitates the application of fertigation, thus improving nutrient absorption by the trees.

For an efficient setup, two lines of drippers should be installed per row of trees, with a spacing of 60 cm between each dripper and a flow rate of 4 liters per hour.

The system's sizing is based on the orchard's density, which is typically 500 trees per hectare, with a spacing of 5 meters between rows and 4 meters between trees. This requires approximately 4,000 meters of drip pipe and approximately 6,700 drippers per hectare.

A successful drip irrigation system includes several essential components:

• A pumping station to ensure adequate pressure
• Screen and disc filters to prevent drippers from clogging
• A fertilizer injector for fertigation
• Control valves and pressure gauges to regulate pressure
• Main and secondary PVC pipes
• Polyethylene drip pipes

Installing this system involves burying the main pipes 50 to 60 cm deep and placing the drip lines 30 to 50 cm from the tree trunks. Drain valves should be installed at the ends of the lines for easy maintenance.

A mature apricot tree requires between 508 and 889 mm of water per year, or approximately 3000 m³/ha. Irrigation should be scheduled at a rate of 2 to 3 sessions per week during the growing season, with durations varying from 2 to 4 hours per session depending on climatic conditions and soil water retention.

System maintenance involves regular monitoring of soil moisture sensors, frequent checking of filters and drippers to prevent clogging, and flushing the system at least twice per season.

Signs of water deficiency

An apricot tree in a situation of water stress shows visible symptoms at several levels.

Foliage is the first indicator of a water deficit. Leaves may wilt during the day, turn yellow or brown starting at the edges, curl up, or even fall prematurely.

Tree growth is also affected. Prolonged drought leads to a significant slowdown in vegetative growth, a reduction in the size of new leaves, and in extreme cases, a complete halt in development.

Fruit production is directly impacted. Yields can drop by 50% compared to a normal year, and fruits remain smaller and may fall before maturity.

Certain quantitative parameters can confirm water stress. A leaf water potential below -1.5 MPa measured at dawn indicates a severe water deficit. Similarly, a reduction in stomatal conductance below 0.05 mol m⁻² s⁻¹ at midday is a worrying sign.

During periods of active growth, an adult apricot tree requires approximately 15 liters of water per week. In case of prolonged drought, copious weekly watering of 50 to 100 liters per tree is recommended, depending on its size.

The condition of the soil and root system provides additional information. Digging to a depth of 20-30 cm, dry soil signals an urgent need for watering. Severe water stress can also cause gum discharge on the trunk or branches.

To avoid these problems, the use of tensiometric probes is strongly recommended. They allow soil moisture to be measured at different depths and irrigation to be adjusted accordingly, thus ensuring optimal management of available water.

Conclusion

Apricot irrigation must be adapted to climatic conditions and plot characteristics. While sprinkler irrigation remains a commonly used method, drip irrigation offers significant advantages in terms of efficiency and water savings. Its implementation requires an initial investment, but it allows for more precise management of water and nutrient inputs, thus increasing the orchard's profitability.

Early detection of water stress is essential to avoid yield losses. Careful monitoring of water shortage indicators, combined with well-managed irrigation, helps optimize fruit production while preserving water resources.

To summarize: irrigation of apricot trees

Apricot tree irrigation plays a vital role in tree growth and fruit quality. Arborists must choose solutions tailored to their plot to ensure optimal water distribution and avoid water stress. At Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of fruit tree plants , we advise you on the best techniques to adopt based on your land and yield goals.

Among the available irrigation methods, drip irrigation is the most efficient solution for optimizing water consumption. With a precise flow rate of 4 liters per hour per dripper , this technique allows for optimal absorption by the roots and limits evaporation, unlike sprinkling, which consumes more water. The installation of such a system relies on essential components: filters, fertilizer injectors, control valves, and distribution pipes. Regular maintenance of the drippers and monitoring of soil moisture via probes ensure efficient and economical irrigation.

If you want to buy apricot plants , it is essential to plan efficient water management to promote their proper development. An adult apricot tree consumes an average of 15 liters of water per week , and careful monitoring for signs of water deficiency is crucial: wilted leaves, premature fruit drop, slowed growth. The use of tensiometers makes it possible to adapt irrigation to the actual needs of the tree and anticipate any water deficit.

At Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of fruit tree plants , we help you choose the best apricot varieties suited to your climate and the specific characteristics of your farm. Our expertise guarantees vigorous, well-acclimatized plants, allowing you to optimize your fruit production.

By investing in a suitable irrigation system and choosing high-quality plants, you can ensure the longevity of your orchard and greater profitability. Don't wait any longer to buy apricot plants and implement efficient irrigation that will maximize your yield while preserving water resources!