Nuts: Springtime Considerations

摘要

OPTIMIZING tree health during the 30 to 60 day period following bloom will affect final yield potential more so than the months before harvest will. This is not to slight the importance of water management during the peak usage periods of summer, butrather emphasizes maintaining proper tree health during the period when the cropping potential is being determined by cell division and cell enlargement. Avoiding any environmental or cultural stresses during the spring nut development is key. While it is obvious that dry stress should be avoided during this time, there are situations where too much water can be equally or even more damaging. Irrigating too early or too heavily in the presence of high soil moisture from winter soil recharge can result in low oxygen conditions in the rootzone that can affect root health or even lead to Phytophthora problems. There has also been a link to certain types of "lower limb dieback" in almonds when subjected to such conditions.