Irrigation and water management

Irrigation is a key practice for peach cultivation worldwide. Therefore, knowledge on tree water relations and hydraulic features in relation to yield and fruit quality development is of key importance to optimize the use of a limited resource such as water. Beside a physiological overview on peach water relations, this chapter describes the main irrigation approaches available for this crop: from the water balance calculation to deficit irrigation protocols, such as regulated deficit irrigation and partial rootzone drying, to the development of precision irrigation approaches, such the use of decision support systems based on soil and/or plant sensors as well as remote-sensing techniques. The latest research findings in this field are reported herein with the aim to continue improving peach water use efficiency while guaranteeing high yield and crop quality standards even in conditions of increasing water scarcity.