Predictive Capacity of Rainfall Data to Estimate the Water Needs of Fruit Plants in Water Deficit Areas

This study investigated the usefulness of three methods: (1) Press, (2) Grabarczyk and Rzekanowski, (3) Treder, in estimating water needs apple, pear, cherry plum trees grown central Poland, where particular deficits are observed. The assessments were based on meteorological data for growing seasons 1989–2020. Orchard irrigation requires a simple accessible method plant requirements. average assessed apple ranged from 435 mm (Press) to 729 (Grabarczyk Rzekanowski), pear between 353–699 315 660 455 718 Rzekanowski). Regardless used, precipitation studied period did not cover fruit trees. Additionally, there was tendency increase requirements plants. In each method, second third decades higher than first. highest calculated using Treder lowest Press method. practice, methods can be used forecast plants, but seems simplest most accessible.