By understanding estimated crop water requirements, the agricultural industry can maximize water use through efficient irrigation methods and scheduling.
Find the estimated cumulative irrigation requirements for several crops of importance in the Llagas Valley, as well as crop-specific details.
Alfalfa
Alfalfa
The cumulative water requirement for alfalfa in 2010 was 36 ¼ inches. This estimate is of cumulative water use and takes cuttings into account. Winter rainfall stored in the soil profile must be subtracted to arrive at the cumulative irrigation requirement. This estimate does not take into account the sprinkler system uniformity.
Celery
Celery
The cumulative irrigation requirement for celery in 2010 was 20 ¼ inches. This estimate does not take into account deficiencies in irrigation system distribution uniformity.
Cherries
Cherries
The cumulative water requirement for cherries in 2010 was 38 ½ inches. This estimate is of cumulative water use for a fully irrigated orchard, and does not take management actions such as deficit irrigation for growth management into account. Winter rainfall stored in the soil profile must be subtracted to arrive at the cumulative irrigation requirement. This estimate does not take into account sprinkler system uniformity.
Corn
Corn
The estimated irrigation requirement for sweet corn planted in mid-April, 2010, is 27 ⅓ inches. This estimate does not take into account extra water required by deficiencies in irrigation uniformity.
Dry Beans
Dry Beans
The estimated irrigation requirement for dry bean was 14 ⅛ inches. This estimate does not take into account deficiencies in irrigation system uniformity.
Stone Fruit
Stone Fruit
The cumulative water requirement for stone fruit in 2010 was 38 inches. This estimate is of cumulative water use for a fully irrigated orchard and does not take management actions such as deficit irrigation for growth management into account. Winter rainfall stored in the soil profile must be subtracted to arrive at the cumulative irrigation requirement. This estimate does not take into account irrigation system distribution uniformity.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
The estimated cumulative irrigation requirement for bush tomatoes in 2010 was 24 ⅓ inches. This estimate does not take into account deficiencies in irrigation system distribution uniformity. “Dry farmed” tomatoes would use significantly less water.
Walnuts
Walnuts
The estimated cumulative water requirement of walnuts in 2010 was 33 ⅛ inches. This estimate does not take stored winter rainfall or deficiencies in irrigation system into account.
Wine Grapes
Wine Grapes
The estimated cumulative water requirement for vertically shoot-positioned wine grapes on an 8-foot row spacing in 2010 was 13 ¼ inches. This estimate does not take stored winter rainfall into account. Nor are management applied deficits or deficiencies in irrigation system uniformity taken into account.
Additional information
Find additional resources:
- Irrigation calculators and resources to help growers use water more efficiently.
- Free services through Valley Water's Mobile Lab for growers to improve irrigation efficiency in seasonal row crops, tree crops, greenhouse crops, nurseries, and vineyards.
- Learn about other agricultural assistance programs available to growers.