AlmondBeat #2 2025: Spring Strategies for Maximizing Orchard Performance

Information provided by Phytech’s Head of Agronomy, Ziv Attia, PhD.

Spring is go time.

As temperatures rise and canopy demand accelerates, your almond orchard enters a narrow window where irrigation decisions directly shape yield outcomes. The difference between 2% and up to 11% yield loss often comes down to what you monitor and how fast you can act.

In AlmondBeat #2, we’ll focus on metrics and strategic irrigation guidelines designed to help you maintain uninterrupted growth, mitigate stress, and make smarter water calls when it matters most.

1. What to Monitor (April to mid-June)

This is the most sensitive period for tree stress. Small signals, if missed, carry big consequences.

Stress Events (Red & Orange Days)

Just one red day or even a couple of orange days during this period can cut yield by 2–11%. Let Phytech's plant status alerts serve as your early warning system.

Growth Curve

Aim for steady, linear growth from leaf-out through mid-June. Any plateau or dip during this time usually indicates a bottleneck in carbon gain, most often caused by irrigation issues.

Maximal Daily Shrinkage (MDS)

An upward MDS trend signals building stress. Your trees are already running at a higher RPM. Don’t wait for visual symptoms; by then, the damage is already done.

Soil Moisture & Nutrient Leaching

Keep soil moisture above the MAD threshold in the active root zone. Be careful to avoid over-irrigating, as it wastes water and can flush away important negatively charged nutrients, like nitrate (NO₃⁻).

Over Watering

Dark green plant status can be a red flag signaling overwatering. More water isn't always better, especially if it leads to standing water or disease risk.

Weather & ETo Trends

Use the Phytech daily Eto forecast to plan irrigation in anticipation. Avoid irrigating just based on ETc recommendations. 

2. Key Considerations: Irrigation Strategy

• Irrigation Frequency & Duration

  If possible, short and frequent sets help buffer trees from the environment. Long, infrequent sets increase the risk of root hypoxia or water and nutrient leaching.

• Prevent, Don’t React

  Don’t wait for stress to show up. By the time you can see visual signs on the trees, growth has already stalled, and yield is compromised.

• Crop Load Considerations

  Heavier crop = higher water demand. Trees under stress will prioritize survival over production. Stress is robbing your yield.

  
  

3. ROI & Risk Management

Precision = Profit.

Every stress day avoided = better nut fill, better kernel weight, and more yield per drop.

Implementing these strategies mentioned above will help you:

• Perfect early-season growth that drives final yield.

• Reduce disease pressure through smarter water use.

• Cut costly over-irrigation and improve fertigation efficiency.

4. Prepare for Heat Waves & Crop Load Stress

The first heat event of the season is often the most damaging. Trees need time to osmotically adapt. Maintaining adequate soil moisture levels to sustain transpiration, assimilation, and cool leaf temperatures will increase orchard performance. 

If you're carrying a heavy yield load, advance irrigation before heat waves hit. Waiting too long compounds stress and will reduce kernel size.

5. Persistent Stress? Run This Checklist

If a block remains stressed despite increased water, consider this checklist:

✅ Crop Load: Is the crop heavier than usual? A larger crop requires more water. 

✅ Irrigation System: Check pressures and distribution uniformity to ensure the system is functioning optimally. Using our advanced NDVI tools is a great way to do it.

✅ Pests & Disease: Look for signs of infestations or diseases that could be affecting transpiration and water uptake. 

Final Thoughts

In today’s market conditions, ROI will come down to who responded fast, irrigated smart, and avoided preventable stress. Phytech’s real-time plant-based monitoring gives you the tools to do all of the above.

Stay tuned for more almond growth strategies in the next Almondbeat report!