Patterns of water withdrawal beneath an irrigated peach orchard on a red-brown earth

Summary Water withdrawal from the soil beneath an irrigated peach orchard is described over depth and time after irrigation for a red-brown earth where the hydraulic properties vary with depth. Relationships between water uptake by roots, root concentration and soil-water suction were explored over protracted drying cycles. In the early stages of drying water uptake by roots was well correlated with root concentration over the profile but, over time, water uptake was redistributed over the root system. Theoretical analysis suggests that poor utilization of water from depth on this soil was associated mainly with low root concentrations and low root (radial) conductance. Practical considerations for improved water management in the root zone of peach orchards on shallow soils are discussed.